80 
LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
finished production of each of its delicate clus¬ 
ters, massive in itself, and yet astonishing by 
its variety and beauty. The gradation of its 
tints, from the first purplish blood to the blanch¬ 
ing flower, is the smallest fascination of its 
charming blossoms, round which the rainbow 
seems to revel and to dissolve into a hundred 
shades and colours, which, all commingling in 
the general tone and hue, produce a happy har¬ 
mony that might well baffle the painter and con¬ 
found the observer. 
The lilac, various in array, now white, 
Now sanguine, and her beauteous head now set 
With purple spikes pyramidal, as if, 
Studious of ornament, yet unresolved 
Which hues she most approved, she chose them all. 
Cowper. 
What immense pains does Nature appear to 
have taken to form this fragrant shrub, which 
merely seems to exist in order to gratify the 
senses ! what a union of perfume, grace, and 
delicacy ! what variety in details ! what harmony 
in the assemblage! Doubtless it was destined in 
the decrees of Providence to become the future 
bond of union between Europe and Asia. The 
