THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
75 
the ever-abiding presence of the Lord God, 
whose power and skill alone could create such 
embodiments of wonder and glory. It is, no 
doubt, for this reason that a garden has been 
the sweetest solace in all ages to men of high¬ 
est wisdom and sensibility. Though Solomon 
dwelt in a palace of ivory, and sat upon a throne 
of gold, and was surrounded by splendor, yet his 
heart longed for something fresher, purer—for 
something more glorious than could be fash¬ 
ioned by the skill of artisan and lapidary; and 
he turned to commune with Nature in a gar¬ 
den. He made ‘ gardens and orchards, and 
planted trees in them of all kinds of fruits.’ 
In these employments he obtained a fresher 
blood and a purer inspiration than amid the 
flash and dazzle of golden courts and jewelled 
thrones and the obsequiousness and flattery of 
courtiers. The ambitious exile of St. Helena 
found a solace for his crownless head and hum¬ 
bled heart with hoe and rake among the flower¬ 
beds surrounding his island-prison. 
“ Kingly cares and blighted ambition have 
not alone found refuge and solace in floral 
communings, but good and holy men have 
equally shared in the benedictions of the gar- 
