DROPS FROM FLORA'S CUP. 105 
THE JASMINE. 
This fragrant climber was introduced into Eng¬ 
land in 1548, and twelve years afterwards into 
France, where it became a favorite on account of 
its slender branches and delicate fragrant flowers. 
It was first trained in the hot-house, but was 
found afterwards to flourish luxuriantly hr the 
open air. 
It grows in ail its native loveliness at the south ; 
but is cultivated with difficulty at the north. 
We copy the following beautiful anecdote from 
‘ The Sentiment of Flowers’: — 
Tliis beautiful plant grew in Hampton Court gar¬ 
den at the end of the seventeenth century; but, 
being lost there, was known only in Europe in the 
garden of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, at Fisa. 
From a jealous and selfish anxiety that he should 
continue to be the sole possessor of a plant so 
charming and so rare, he strictly charged his 
gardener not to give a single sprig, or ev.en a flower, 
to any person. The gardener might have been 
faithful if he had not loved; but being attached to 
a fair, though portionless damsel, he presented her 
with a bouquet on her birthday; and, in order to 
render it more acceptable, ornamented it with a 
sprig of jasmine. The young maiden, to preserve 
the freshness of this pretty stranger, placed it in 
the earth, where it remained green until the return 
