120 
^osintars- 
Rosemary.. ..Remembrance. 
The Rosemary is so often mentioned by our early 
writers, both in prose, poetry, and our oldest dramas, 
that a long article, possessing great interest to such as 
love old-fashioned things, might be written upon it. 
The Rosemary was used both at their feasts and their 
funerals,—the christening-cup was stirred with it, and 
it was worn at their marriage ceremonies. Shakspeare 
has chosen it for the emblem of Remembrance, and 
who would attempt to change the meaning of a flower 
which his genius has hallowed, or disturb a leaf over 
which he has breathed his holy “ superstition ?”—-in 
memory of him we use the latter word in all reverence. 
A few years ago it was customary, in many parts of 
England, to plant slips of Rosemary over the dead; 
nor has the practice yet fallen altogether into disuse- 
rural cemeteries will revive these ancient customs. 
Shakspeare chose the Rosemary as the emblem of af¬ 
fectionate remembrance, for its flowering in winter,— 
a very poetic and touching allusion. The sweet ma¬ 
niac, Ophelia, says, 
There’s Rosemary, “That for remembrance, 
I pray you love, remember.” 
I loved thee, and must love thee still, 
In memory of the past 
Amid whate’er of earthly ill 
My future lot is cast! 
