T is remarkable that the blossoms of lofty plants are most 
frequently pendulous; those of the dwarf family the re¬ 
verse. The golden clusters of the beautiful laburnum, and 
the shining silver of the yet lovelier acacia, how grace¬ 
fully they bend and fall, as though ashamed of being 
placed so high; while the innocent daisy, made to be 
trampled on, and her neighbour, the spruce little butter¬ 
cup, lift up their broad bright eyes, in unreserved freedom. Thus the 
great one of the earth, when touched by divine grace, rejoices to be 
brought down ; and the brother of low degree can also rejoice in that 
he is exalted, into a greatness that the world knows not of. 
This is a dreary season; bleak winds are abroad, and the frequent 
snow-drift oppresses every bough. The holly’s bright berry peeps out 
here and there ; but for flowers I may search in vain among the branches. 
I must look lower, and there they are—the regiments of soldiers, as 
my childish fancy termed them, that fail not to start up, keeping their 
appointed ranks in resolute defiance of all the artillery of winter. Far 
less elegant than the snow-drop, the Crocus yet possesses a sprightly 
grace peculiar to itself. The former seems to endure adversity; the 
latter to laugh at it. I allude to the bright yellow species, shedding 
a mimic sunshine upon beds of snow: there are others of the family, 
more sober in aspect, looking tranquilly content in the spot where they 
have been placed; and, under all attendant circumstances, placidly 
cheerful. They seem to say, ‘ It is but for q, little while : 
“ The storms of wintry time shall quickly pass ; ” 
and we will not murmur that we at present feel their severity.’ 
Chapters on Floivers. 
