iCOSANDRIA. POLYGYNIA. Rosa 
621 
Britain ; unless indeed, jlore pleno, at the bottom of a peat bog on Bul- 
lington Green, near Oxford, as reported by Mr. Baxter, in Purt. Mid. FI. 
E.) _ 
after dinnere.” In Damascus hogsheads of this refreshing luxury are sold daily for 
purposes of cookery. The custom of adorning the memorials of the dead with flowers, 
the symbols of fleeting mortality ; especially with the Rose, as equally the token of affection, 
(vestiges of which may still be traced in Wales, and some parts of England), prevailed 
both with the Greeks and Romans : in allusion to which thus Anacreon,— 
“ Preserves the cold, inurned clay, 
And marks the vestige of decay: ” 
and Propertius - 
“ Et tenera poneret ossa Rosa” 
We learn from Camden that this practice was in his day observed, and has been time out 
of mind, at Oakley, in Surry, where “ the Rose tree is planted on the graves, especially 
of young men and maidens who have lost their lovers, so that this churchyard is full of 
them.” In the less frequented parts of the principality, the more general recurrence of 
these pious offerings is calculated to produce an affecting impression even on the passing 
stranger; but still more strongly to cherish a tender regret for the departed among 
near and dear relatives, by whom these sacred depositories are annually, if not oftener, 
visited. Indeed the Rose derives its chief interest from its connection with history and 
sentiment, and that again originating in its own peculiar charms. In all countries 
where it is known, and in every age, a redundancy of poetry and song justly attest its 
pre-eminence ; nor is it less distinguished in fable. It has been pronounced by universal 
acclamation the Queen of Flowers :— 
<c Rose ! thou art the sweetest flower 
That ever drank the amber shower; 
* * * * 
* * . * * * 
Even the gods, who walk the sky, 
Are amorous of thy scented sigh.” 
The Persian Hafez maintains this supremacy among the Oriental gifts of Flora s— 
<£ When the young Rose in crimson gay 
Expands her beauties to the day. 
And foliage fresh her leafless boughs o’erspread ; 
In homage to her sov’reign pow’r, 
Bright regent of each subject flow’r! 
Low at her feet the violet bends its head.” 
The ceremonial of Blessing the Rose is still preserved at Rome, and the day is named 
4< Dominica in Rosa” Nor were formerly less distinguished honours bestowed upon it in 
France, at the festival called “ Baillee de Rose,” when great quantities of Roses were scat¬ 
tered abroad. Englishmen exalt the Rose as their national flower, for ever happily 
blended with the Thistle and the Shamrock - 
<c Emblem of England hail! thou fairest flower, 
That paints the garden and perfumes the gale.” 
Never again may it be debased as the badge of intestine feuds ; that contest alone of 
which it was the emblem, having cost more of English blood than did the twice conquer¬ 
ing France: till 
“ * * The fourth Edward 
******* 
rent the crown from vanquish’d Henry’s head. 
Rais’d the White Rose , and trampled on the Red.” Waller. 
The Union Rose, a very elegant variety, with mixed red and white petals, has been 
generally referred to the marriage of Henry VII. with Elizabeth, daughter of Edward IV; 
by which the animosity of the contending houses was happily and finally extinguished. 
In connection .with this branch of the subject, we find in an ohi author the following effusion 
of gallantry on presenting a White Rose to a Lancastrian lady 
