174 THE POETRY OF FLOWERS 
frequent attacks of gout by the use of strawberries. This fruit, 
it is said, has often restored to health patients given over by 
every physician. They will compose a thousand delicious sher¬ 
bets; they are the delight of our tables, and the luxury of our 
rural feasts. Everywhere these charming berries, which dis¬ 
pute in freshness and in perfume the buds of the most beautiful 
flowers, please the sight, the taste, and the smell. Yet, there 
are some unfortunate enough to hate strawberries, and to swoon 
at the sight of a rose. Ought it to astonish us, since we see 
certain persons grow pale at the relation of a good action, as 
if the inspiration of virtue were a reproach to them ! Happily, 
these sad exceptions take nothing from the charm of virtue — 
from the beauty of the rose — nor from the perfect excellence 
of the most charming of fruits. 
But virtue bruised exhales a purer breath, 
Sighs fragrance forth, and triumphs over death. 
PuiLLirs. 
PERFIDY. 
ALMOND LAUREL. 
In the environs of Trebizond, on the borders of the Black 
sea, we find the treacherous laurel growing naturally. It con¬ 
ceals under its sweet and brilliant verdure the most deadly 
poison we are acquainted with. In winter it adorns our groves; 
and is loaded in the spring with numerous pyramids of white 
flowers, which are succeeded by a black fruit, resembling small 
cherries; its flowers, fruit, and leaves, have the taste and smell 
of the almond. It is related that a tender mother, on the 
birthday of one of her children, wishing to prepare something 
