STRAWBERRY. 129 
their alluring baskets to the traveller, instead of 
magically arresting his steps, they enable him to 
recruit his strength and to renew his journey. 
The learned Linneus was cured of frequent attacks 
of gout by the use of Strawberries. Often have 
they restored health to the invalid when all other 
medicines have failed. They constitute a favourite 
accompaniment of the lordly feast, and the most 
exquisite luxury of the rural repast. This charming 
fruit, which vies in freshness and perfume, with 
the bud of the sweetest of flowers, delights the eye, 
the taste, and the smell at the same time. Yet 
there are persons so unhappy as to dislike Straw- 
berries, and to swoon at the sight of a rose. Is this 
astonishing, when there are persons who turn pale 
at the sight of superior merit, on hearing of a 
noble action, as if the sight or record of virtue were 
a reproach to themselves 1 Fortunately, these me- 
lancholy exceptions take nothing from the charm of 
virtue, frem the beauty of the rose, or from the per- 
fection which characterizes the most delicious of 
fruits. 
