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And it is in summer, when the garden is in its glory, and 
not a blossom seems wanting, that the rose, “ at length 
apparent queen,” comes forth as if to receive the homage 
of all other flowers, not haughtily, but with most win¬ 
ning grace, as if “ afraid to claim her full authority.” 
Its fragrance, too, is equal to its beauty; that of 
other flowers may be more spicy, more luscious, more 
powerful, but the fragrance of the rose is unique. 
For the benefit of those who wish to be acquainted 
with the classical legends relating to this elegant flower, 
as well as with its various species and natural history, I 
give the following extracts from “ Medical Botany: ” — 
“ The ancients tell us that roses were originally 
white, but were changed to red by the blood of Venus, 
when her feet were lacerated by their prickles in her 
attempt to protect Adonis from the rage of Mars. 
Another fable states that Cupid overthrew a bowl of 
nectar, which, falling to earth, stained the rose. 
«The rose was given by Cupid as a bribe to 
Harpocrates, the god of silence; from whence, we 
should suppose, originated the custom which, according 
to Rosenbergius, prevailed among the northern nations 
of Europe, of suspending a rose from the ceiling over 
the upper end of their tables, when it was intended that 
the conversation which took place should be secret: 
