56 THE ASSOCIATIONS OF FLOWERS 
in its regard, the wonders and beauties of earthy and 
bear with it an intellectual joy and improvement. 
There is a charm in the thought, that the pleasure 
derived from wi id-flowers lies open to the youngest and 
the poorest of mankind. It has been said of birds, that 
they are the poor man’s music; and we may observe of 
flowers, that they are the poor man’s poetry. For him, 
as for all, they are scattered unsparingly over the lap 
of earth; smiling in clusters among the leafy wood, frin- 
ing the field-path, glowing in the sunny regions of the 
world, or raising their pale heads above the dreariest 
snows. In viewing the beautiful colours, and inhaling 
the rich odours of plants ; in examining their structure^ 
and marking how well it is adapted to the situation for 
which it is intended, the mind is led to a cheerful 
gratitude to Him who has painted the meadow with 
delight — 
And thus, with many feelings, many thoughts. 
We make a meditative joy, and find 
Religious meanings in the forms of Nature.” 
The lover of either the garden or the country land- 
scape cannot have failed to remark the effect of the sea- 
sons upon the gradual development of its leaves and 
blossoms. Each month has its peculiar floral ornaments; 
and although the warmth or the coldness of the atmos- 
phere has an influence in accelerating or retarding, by 
a short period, the unfolding of flowers, yet each month 
is so far constant in its processes that we look with 
confidence for the plants wTich generally grace it. 
January has its snowdrops, and June its roses. In the 
coldest weather the laurustinus and Christm.as-rose are 
blooming in our gardens, and the furze gives its lustre 
to the lone moorland. Then that “ bonnie gem,” the 
spring-daisy — the morning star of the flowers — appears 
here and there, and the groundsel puts forth its yellow 
blossoms. The garden beds present the fair snowdrop, 
and the rich golden luxuriance of the crocus. The 
boughs of the mezereon are clothed with lilac clusters ; 
the hepaticas venture to unfold their small rose-coloured 
or blue flowers; the daffodils hang down their yellow 
