LASTING BEAUTY. 77 
among us until the thirteenth century. During 
the crusades European wartiors brought us 
many new species from Egypt and Syria, of 
which the monks, at that time the only able 
cultivators, took charge. They were at first 
the charm of their peaceful retreats; since 
then they are scattered over every flower bed ; 
they are become the companions of our plea. 
sures, and add to the luxuries of our mansions. 
Still the rose is the queen of our groves, and 
the lily the king of our valleys. The rosebuds 
are transient; and the lily, though it flowers 
more tardily, passes away almost as rapidly. 
The gillyflower,—less graceful than the rose, 
—less superb than the lily,—has a splendour 
more durable. Constant in its benefits, it 
offers to us, all the year, its beautiful red and 
pyramidal flowers, which always diffuse an 
agreeable odour. The finest gillyflowers are 
red ; they derive their name from their colour, 
which rivals in brilliancy the far-famed purple 
of Tyre. White, violet, and variegated gilly- 
flowers have also their charms; but since 
America, Asia, and Africa, have sent their bril- 
liant tributes, we have neglected the beautiful 
daughter of our own climate, so dear to our 
forefathers. Towards the setting of the sun 
a delightful fragrance is exhaled from the 
Lavish stock that scents the garden round. 
THOMSON. 
N 


