204 
NEATNESS. 
MY REGRETS FOLLOW YOU TO 
THE GRAVE. 
ASPHODEL. 
The yellow and white species of this elegant 
plant are old inhabitants of our gardens, are 
of very easy culture, and increase rapidly. 
The latter species covers immense tracts of 
land in Apulia, and affords very good nou¬ 
rishment to the sheep. It was sacred to 
Proserpine, and anciently used in funeral ce¬ 
remonies; and it was believed that beyond 
the Acheron, the shades of the departed walk¬ 
ed in vast meadows of Asphodel, where they 
drank the waters of oblivion. 
NEATNESS. 
BROOM. 
’Twas that delightful season, when the broom, 
Full flowered, and visible on every steep, 
Along the copses runs in veins of gold. 
WORDSWORTH. 
We presume that this plant has been made 
the emblem of neatness from the uses to 
