AND FLOWERS OF POETRY. 139 
l ---- 
Coltsfoot, notwithstanding its sweet smell, had remained a 
long time unknown at the foot of Mount Pila, where no doubt 
it would still have bloomed in obscurity, if a learned botanist, 
M. Villau de Grenoble, had not appreciated its beneficent qual¬ 
ities. This perfumed plant appears at a season when all others 
j have disappeared. As the great artist eulogized the poor 
painter, so did M. Villau the humble flower; he gave it a dis¬ 
tinguished rank in his works ; and, since then, the tussilage has 
been cultivated with care, and perfumes our brilliant saloons. 
They shall own thee the sweetest and fairest of flowers, 
That smile in our woodlands, or blush in our bowers! 
They shall own thee a lovelier gem of delight, 
Than they that illumine the veil of Midnight! 
f. s. o. 
KEEP YOUR PROMISES. 
PLUM-TREE. 
Every year the plum-tree is covered with an immense quan¬ 
tity of flowers, but unless trained and pruned by the hand of an 
able gardener of all its superfluous wood, it will only yield fruit 
once in three years. 
Come! thou hast not forgotten 
Thy pledge and promise quite, 
With many blushes murmured 
Beneath the evening light; — 
