
INTRODUCTION, 
Now let us away to the distant lands of 
Asia, where we shall not find the glorious 
garden of Eden, nor the far-famed gardens of 
once mighty Babylon; but there we may repose 
on beds of roses in Cashmere ; and with the 
Persian maidens weave garlands of the violet, 
Jasmine, or lotus flowers; we may trim the 
odorous night blooming nyctanthes, with the 
drooping mimosa, which seems to do us 
homage as we approach it; we may cull the 
rich blossom from the canna, the white arum, 
the yellow zanthium, and the classic hibiscus ; 
we may rest secure under the bata tree, or 
recline beneath the dark and gloomy cypresses. 
Or seeing, should we prefer the plain of va- 
rious colours, clad with groves and gardens, 
and watered by flowing rivulets? It isa place 
belonging to the abodes of heroes. The ground 
is silky in its appearance, and the air is scented 
with musky odours; so that you would be 
led to ask, Is it rose water which glides between 
the banks? The stalk of the lily bends under 
the weight of the flower; and the whole grove 
is charmed with the fragrance of the rose-bud. 





















