THE LILY OF THE VALLEY. 
61 
There is a note, in Hartwell Horne’s “ Introduction to 
the Critical Study and Knowledge of the Holy Scrip¬ 
tures,” to this effect (vol. iii. p. 63.): — “ In this passage 
(Matt. vi. 28.), Jesus Christ is commonly supposed to have 
referred to the white lily, or to the tulip; but neither of 
these grows wild in Palestine. It is natural to presume 
that, according to his usual custom, he called the attention 
of his hearers to some object at hand; and, as the fields 
of the Levant are overrun with the Amaryllis lutea, 
whose golden liliaceous flowers, in autumn, afford one of 
the most brilliant and gorgeous objects in nature, the 
expression of c Solomon in all his glory not being 
arrayed like one of these,’ is peculiarly appropriate.” 
This'be it remembered, is but conjecture. Should I, 
however, be in error, I have, at least, the countenance of 
an elegant writer (not, perhaps, in choosing this species 
of lily), who, speaking of the moral which flowers may 
impart, says,— 
“ Nor can such touching illustrations fail, 
When thus the Saviour preach’d, his text the lilies pale.” 
Thou, whose sad and darkling brow 
Seems to tell of care and woe, 
