59 
THE LILY OF THE VALLEY. 
CONVALLARIA MAJALIS. 
-“ And ye, whose lowlier pride 
In sweet seclusion seems to shrink from view, 
You of the valley named, no longer hide 
Your blossoms meet to twine the brow of chastest bride.” 
In expatiating on the charms of flowers, each one, 
as it passes under review, seems for the moment to 
monopolise to itself the various perfections of its different 
competitors; but, on a more discriminating survey, after 
comparing one with another, we find each has its own 
peculiar claim on our regard. Amongst those, however, 
which are distinguished for timid loveliness and delicate 
odour, it must be confessed 
“ No flower amid the garden fairer grows 
Than the sweet lily of the lowly vale.” 
What so beautiful as these “ pearl-white bells,” peeping 
between the ample green leaves; and how strictly 
