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The Cheiranthus tribe come most honourably recom¬ 
mended to our notice; for Charlemagne, in one of his 
Capitularies, advises the culture of them, along with roses 
and lilies. And Perdita, in the “ Winter’s Tale,” says, 
-“ the fairest flowers of the season 
Are our carnations and streak’d gillyflowers.” 
The species under immediate consideration, however, 
certainly cannot boast of much beauty; but the lack of 
this is more than counterbalanced by its very rich noc¬ 
turnal odour. 
There seems a peculiar fragrancy in the scent of 
night-blowing flowers; it is something akin to night- 
music. No doubt the imagination aids the impression, 
and, were we free from its entanglements, we should 
perhaps in this matter come to Portia’s conclusion, when 
she says — 
-« I think 
The nightingale, if she should sing by day 
When every goose is cackling, would be thought 
No better a musician than the wren. 
How many things by season season’d are 
To their right praise and true perfection! ” 
* 
