HISTORICAL SKETCH 



xxxiii 



as delicious, the ' dews being quite impregnated with their 

 odours, and rendering a morning walk at certain seasons 

 most delightful.' 



Here let us c^uote from an Indian missionary, his dearest 

 feelings and thoughts whilst rambling in the hills of India, in 

 the early hours of morn : — 



' Fair scenes ! where breeze and sun diffuse 

 The sweetest odours, fairest hues, 

 Where dainty fragrance floateth wide 

 O'er velvet lawn and glassy tide ; 

 'Xeath burning heavens — a hush profound, 

 Breathing on the shaded ground — 

 Through this warm air, on this warm sod 

 Stern deadly winter never trod. ' — Richardsox. 



^The Palace of Delhi,' says Bishop Heber, * is now in a 

 ruinous state ; the gardens must have been rich and beautiful, 

 they are full of old trees, dainty Eoses, and sweet-smelling 

 Joncj[uils.' 



Another writer, referring to the Eoyal Gardens near 

 Lahore, says : — 



' Beautiful trees are plentiful, both fruiting and ornamental ; 

 there are also borders of flowers, among which the scented 

 Narcissus abounds. The marble fountains were always filled 

 with delicious rose-water.' 



Fryer, writing in 1698, states at that date there was no 

 great variety of flowers in India : — 



'Jessamins, the tree Mallow {HiUscus rosa imitalilis), some 

 few Lysimachias, Malvas, and some Wallflowers or Stock- 

 Gillyflowers being the height of which they aim at.' He 

 mentions also the ' Silk Cotton Tree, and a tree called Arbor- 

 tristis {Mjdanthes Arbor4ristis). These are "all the choice." 

 He adds : ' Eoses would grow here if they would but cultivate 

 them.' 



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