FLORA, .ESCULAPIUS, CERES, WITH CUPID, 

 HONOURING THE BUST OF LINNAEUS. 



The introduction of Flora, Ceres, and /Esculapius, is emblematic of the advantages 

 derived from the study of the science of Botany, as in the works of Linnaeus, to physic, agri- 

 culture, and as an elegant pursuit for Ladies. Cupid is represented in allusion to the sexual 

 si/stem, invented by Linnjeus. The Zephyr above denotes Springs the season most favourable 

 to the study of Botany. The fair forms of Flora and of Cupid, with the bust of Linnaeus, 

 cannot fail to disclose to the eye of the observer the magic pencil of a Russel; and the figures 

 of jEsculapius and Ceres, the nervous and masterly strokes of an Opie. 



I. 



Sacred to great LINNiEUS' honour d name, 

 A laurel grove perpetuates his fame, 

 Where deck'd in honest pride by Sculpture's hand, 

 See rival nations* bid his image stand, 

 The foremost of the human race to rise, 

 Nor servile flattery this, or base disguise. 

 Crowds, now retiring, leave the hallow'd place, 

 When Sol's bright car has run its daily race, 

 And gold-fringd pearly clouds dissolve away, 

 And evening veils the glaring face of day. 

 Then, first, the sprightly, subtle boy, 

 Beauty's offspring, winged LOVE, 

 Bounding on in wanton joy, 

 Springs forward to the laurel grove, 

 And grateful traces on the stone 

 In golden lines his tribute gay f, 

 Proud thus indelibly to own 

 The triumphs of his tender sway. 



* In allusion to the bust of Linnaeus, which was first raised in the botanic garden of Edinburgh by the botanical Professor. 



LINNjEO posuit j. hope. 

 as was also done in the year l 790, in the botanic garden at Paris, by a decree of the National Assembly, 

 f The lines which Cupid writes on the pedestal are as follow \ 



All animated Nature owns my sway, 



Earth, sea, and air, my potent laws obey. 



And thou, divine LiNNiEUS, traced my reign 



O'er trees, and shrubs, and Flora's beauteous train, 



Proved them obedient to my soft controul, 



And gaily breathe an aromatic soul, 



Charlotte Lenox. 



This lady was invited by the late illustrious Dr. Samuel Johnson, to meet all his literary acquaintances. After dinner, the Doctor gave, 

 " To the Muses," and as one of them, he publickly crowned this celebrated authoress with bays. Vide Life of Johnson prefixed to his 

 stupendous Dictionary. 



