120 
a^oaraarj). 
Rosemary. ... Remembrance. 
The Rosemary is so often mentioned by our early 
writers, both in prose, poetry, and our oldest dramas, 
that, a long article, possessing great interest to such as 
love old-fashioned things, might be written upon it. 
The Rosemary was used both at their feasts and their 
funerals,—the christening-cup was stirred with it, and 
it was worn at their marriage ceremonies. Shakspeare 
has chosen it for the emblem of > Remembrance, and 
who would attempt to change the meaning of a flower 
which his genius has hallowed, or disturb a leaf over 
which he has breathed his holy “superstition?”—in 
memory of him we use the latter word in all reverence. 
A few years ago it was customary, in many parts of 
England, to plant slips of Rosemary over the dead; 
nor has the practice yet fallen altogether into disuse— 
rural cemeteries will revive these ancient customs. 
Shakspeare chose the Rosemary as the emblem of af¬ 
fectionate remembrance, for its flowering in winter,— 
a very poetic and touching allusion. The sweet mar 
niac, Ophelia, says, 
There's Rosemary, “ That for remembrance, 
I pray you love, remember.” 
I loved thee, and must love thee still, 
In memory of the past 
Amid whate'er of earthly ill 
My future lot is cast 1 
