HISTORICAL SKETCH 



* while she was speaking she breathed forth sweet Eoses froia 

 her mouth ' ; and in one of his dainty poems his fondness of 

 flowers is well portrayed in the foUoT^^ing lines : — 



' Aiid rich was he whose votive wreath possessed 

 The lovely Violet and sweet wild flower dressed.'' 



Persia has from the remotest ages enjoyed a great reputa- 

 tion for its lovely flowers, and we have it on record by a very 

 early ^vriter that — 



'AVhere the Persian King resides, or whatever place he 

 visits in his dominions, he takes care that the gardens shall 

 be filled ^vith everything, both beautiful and useful, that the 

 soil can produce.' 



Sadi, whose poems are probably the most impressive ever 

 penned in the Persian language, has left us the following 

 dainty description of his garden : — 



' The ground was enamelled ^vith odorous flowers ; the 

 dewdi^ops hung on the Eose like tears on the cheek of a 

 maiden ; the parterre was covered with Hyacinths from 

 whose delicate bells pour forth the most endearing essences.' 



Persian gardens are mostly peculiar in structiue, being 

 arranged so that the owner could view them from some 

 acclivity in absolute seclusion, and breathe the balmy air 

 imparted from masses of delicately scented bloom. 



The flowers of Persia are both abundant and beautiful, and 

 have in all ages been used largely by the monarchs and indi- 

 ^iduals of high rank at all the leading festivals. Their tastes 

 in this direction are borrowed from the Mecles. The palaces 

 of their kings were arranged so that the one was fitted for 

 summer residence, the other for the winter, the latter place 

 being celebrated for its beautiful flowers, of which the Lily 

 was chief. Such was their fancy for j)erfume that they 



