10 
INTRODUCTION. 
rest awhile in the bower, 
O’er which the white-leaved orange flower 
Breathes its ambrosial sweets. 
Melendez. 
Now let us away to the distant lands of Asia, where we 
shall not find the glorious garden of Eden, nor the far-famed 
gardens of once mighty Babylon ; hut there we may repose on 
beds of roses in Cashmere; and with the Persian maidens 
weave garlands of the violet, jasmine, or lotus flowers; we 
may trim the odorous night-blooming nyctanthes, with the 
drooping mimosa, which seems to do us homage as we ap¬ 
proach it; we may cull the rich blossom from the canna, the 
white arum, the yellow zanthium, and the classic hibiscus; we 
may rest secure under the bata tree, or recline beneath the 
dark and gloomy cypresses. Or seeing, should we prefer the 
plain of various colours, clad with groves and gardens, and 
watered by flowing rivulets ? It is a place belonging to the 
abodes of heroes. The ground is silky in its appearance, and 
the air is scented with musky odours; so that you would be 
led to ask, Is it rose-water which glides between the banks ? 
The stalk of the lily bends under the weight of the flower; 
and the whole grove is charmed with the fragrance of the rose¬ 
bud. The pheasant walks gracefully among the flowers; and 
the dove and the nightingale warble from the branches of the 
cypress. From the present time to the latest age, may these 
banks resemble the bowers of Paradise !* 
In Hindostan, the god of love is known as Camdeo. There 
we may see the fair young child surrounded by gay laughter- 
loving nymphs. His mother never leaves him—his spouse is 
Retty, the essence of affection — and his bosom friend is Bes- 
* Sir William Jones. 
