94 
ENVY. 
man lettuce; if this had been the case, he 
would probably have attached his name to 
those modest presents. Rabelais, like queen 
Claude, would then have been celebrated by 
the gourmands of every age. However this 
may be, the beautiful verdure of this plant 
forms an elegant garnishing to our dishes ; 
it is the luxury of the soup kettle ; it adds to 
the delight of the most splendid dinners. A 
branch of laurel and a crown of parsley are 
the attributes we admit as belonging to the 
god of banquets. These plants have served 
for nobler uses; but in the age of gastro¬ 
nomy, it is unnecessary to recal what was 
done in the age of heroism. 
ENVY. 
BRAMBLE. 
The bramble is made the emblem of envy 
because it interferes so much with the growth 
of other plants. It produces suckers which 
spread rapidly, ripen, and drop their leaves 
one year, and resume their foliage, produce 
blossom, flower, and fruit, and die the next. 
Thus also, like envy, it is short-lived, as the 
envious are usually disappointed, and see the 
deserving receive their reward. 
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