

INTRODUCTION. 3 
““ As they grow up to maturity, they assume, 
in their eyes, new characters and beauties. 
Then they are strewn around them, the poetry 
of the earth. They become invested, by a 
multitude of associations, with innumerable 
spells of power over the human heart ; they are 
to us memorials of the joys, sorrows, hopes, 
and triumphs of our forefathers; they are, to 
all nations, the emblems of youth in its love- 
liness and purity.’’ 
Flowers to the Fair! to you these flowers I bring, 
And strive to greet you with an earlier spring ; 
Flowers sweet and gay, and delicate like you, 
Emblems of innocence and beauty too. 
With flowers the Graces bind their yellow hair, 
And flowery wreaths consenting lovers wear. 
Flowers, the sole luxury which Nature knew, 
In Eden’s pure and guiltless garden grew. 
MRS. BARBAULD. 
Let Fancy lead us, with her fair imaginings, 
and it shall be in pleasant paths, and. through 
flowery ways ; 
Go, cull the golden fruits of truth ; 
Go, gather fancy’s brilliant flowers ; 
2 
B2 


