VIOLET. 
115 
the arbitrary regulations of Fashion, which 
reach even to the sale of flowers, this fragrant 
plant is constantly held in such high estima¬ 
tion that the French florists check the early 
flowering of some of their plants, so as to se¬ 
cure blossoms in the height of summer, and 
these may be frequently met with at the cele¬ 
brated Marche aux Fleurs, even in the months 
of August and September. 
“ It is related of Mademoiselle Clairon, 
that being passionately fond of Violets, a 
friend cultivated them so as to give her a 
nosegay of these flowers every morning during 
their season. This fragrant offering lasted 
thirty years, and to lose nothing of a gift 
which friendship and constancy rendered so 
precious to her who received it, she stripped 
off the flower petals every evening, and took 
them in an infusion like tea. 
“ It was the Violet which induced John 
Bertram, a quaker of Pensylvania, to study 
plants. He had employed his time in agricul¬ 
tural pursuits without a knowledge of botany, 
but being in a field one day he gathered a 
Violet, examined its formation, and reflected 
upon it until he became so prepossessed with 
the flower that he dreamed of it. This cir¬ 
cumstance inspired him with a desire of be¬ 
coming acquainted with plants; he therefore 
learned for that purpose as much Latin as 
was necessary, and soon became the most 
learned Botanist of the new world. 
