The white rose is extremely fragrant. In Fajhum, 
a province of Upper Egypt, there is a peculiar species, 
bearing a very large double flower, in colour rather 
inclining to a pale blush, which, from the exquisite odour 
it emits, is much cultivated for distillation. An incredible 
quantity of rose water is thus prepared yearly in Fajhum, 
and sold in different parts of Egypt, thence to be 
exported to other countries. The people of the East, 
with elegant hospitality, sprinkle it on the hands, face, 
and head of the guests they mean to honour, and 
afterwards perfume them with frankincense and the 
wood of aloes, &c. 
By way of introduction to the following lines, I would 
just add, that they were presented to an afflicted friend, 
who bade me observe a solitary white rose most rudely 
blown about by the wind on a stormy evening: — 
Thou bidst me mark how yon lone rose 
Bends as the wild wind o’er it blows, 
Then, meekly rising, seems to eye 
With calm submissiveness the sky, 
Though rain and tempest mingling there 
Spread universal gloom, 
To thing so fragile and so fair 
Portending certain doom. 
h 3 
