AND FLOWERS OF POETRY. 199 
For thee we twine — 
For who could so gracefully wear it, 
As she, whose heart 
Is lovely and pure as the rose ? 
The wreath is thine — 
And the happiness — each of us share it; 
For thou art so meek, 
No envy can mar thy repose! 
f. s. o. 
RICHES. 
CORN. 
4 
We are assured by botanists that corn is nowhere found in 
its primitive state. It seems to have been confided by Provi¬ 
dence to the care of man, with the use of fire, to secure to him 
the sceptre of the earth. With corn and with fire, all other 
gifts may be dispensed with or acquired. With corn alone we 
could nourish every domestic animal which affords flesh for our 
sustenance, shares our labours, and is in various ways servicea¬ 
ble to us. The pig, the hen, the duck, the pigeon, the ass, the 
sheep, the goat, the horse, the cow, the cat, and the dog; each 
renders him something in return for his care. We receive from 
each, according to nature, either eggs or milk, bacon or wool, 
various meats, or services. Corn is the first bond of society, 
because its culture and preparation for our use require great 
labour and reciprocal services. From its inest mable value, the 
ancients called the good Ceres the legislatrix. 
There are occasions when food is much more highly esteem¬ 
ed than the possession of riches. An Arab, wandering in the 
desert, had not tasted food for the space of two days, and saw 
