I WILD FLOWERS. 171 
We have italicised two words in this quota¬ 
tion, because we do not like them. It is our creed 
and belief that nothing which God has created 
is useless ; we may not perceive its applicability 
. to any known purpose, but we are not therefore 
to conclude that it is of no service—that it per¬ 
forms no important function in the great scheme 
of universal being our greatest living poet 
says:— 
“ Small service is true service while it lasts, 
Of friends, however humble, scorn not one; 
The daisy, by the shadow that it easts, 
Protects the lingering dew-drop from the sun.” 
We are but too apt to look upon part of the 
vegetation with which the earth is covered— 
“ clothed as with a garment of beauty”—as 
worthless and contemptible, especially when 
there are no blossoms, which with their tint or 
perfume, afford gratification to the senses ; and 
to pass by “ common weeds” as vile things, not 
simply useless, but mischievous :— 
“ Scorn not those rude, unlovely things. 
All cultureless that grow. 
And rank o’er woods, and wilds, and springs, 
Their vain luxuriance throw. 
