18 THE FLORAL TELEGRAPH. 
vegetation. I observed, that, in many 
instances, the garden Flowers and 
Shrubs had conquered the wilder 
intruders, whilst too often the rank 
weeds had surrounded and strangled 
the rightful owners of the soil with a 
savage barbarity. Yet was it a most 
beautiful scene of desolation; and, 
as I contemplated it, a saddened 
pensiveness stole over me: I sate 
down upon the fragment of a broken 
column, heaviness came upon my 
soul from the mutilated statues that 
seemed like white spectres mocking 
me from their green shrouds, and the 
dull fragrance of mingled weeds and 
flowers fell oppressively on my senses. 
