STRENGTH. FENNEL. A savoury odour blown, more pleased my sense MILTON. THE gladiators mingled this plant with their food, from a supposition that it tended to increase their strength. After the games were over, the conqueror was crowned with a wreath of fennel. The Romans named the plant anethum. The wealth of rich feelings-the deep-the pure - F. S. O STOICISM. BOX. THE tree box loves the shade, and will grow under the drip of trees. It maintains its verdant appearance in winter as well as summer. It requires no care, and endures for centuries. On account of its resistance to the changes of the seasons, and the power of time, it has been made the emblem of stoicism. There is strength Deep bedded in our hearts, of which we reck MRS. HEMANS. Strange heart of man! that even 'mid wo swells high, When through the foam he sees his proud bark sweep, Flinging out joyous gleams to wave and sky! SUSPICION. MUSHROOM. MRS. HEMANS. MANY species of mushroom are known to be deadly poison. The Ostiacs, a Siberian tribe, make a preparation from the Agaricus muscarius, which will kill the most robust man in twelve hours. Several mushrooms in our country are almost as dangerous; as there is a liquid hid within them of a nature so acrid, that a single drop put on the tongue will produce a blister. The Russians, during their long fasts, live entirely on mushrooms; and are often thrown into violen. convulsions in consequence. We regard them as a dainty dish, but we ought to use them with great caution. Before using them they should be exposed to the heat of boiling water; this will ascertain their quality, as if they are not of a good kind their perfume will be evaporated. Better confide and be deceived, A thousand times, by treacherous foes, Or let suspicion mar repose. F. S. O. SWEET REMEMBRANCES. PERIWINKLE. Through primrose tufts in that sweet bower, WORDSWORTH. THERE is an agreeable softness in the delicate blue colour of the periwinkle, and a quietness in the general aspect of the flower, that appears to harmonize with the retired situations where it loves to grow. It prefers the shady banks of the grove, rather than to meet the meridian sun in the society of the gay plants of the parterre. In France this flower has been made emblematical of the pleasures of memory from the circumstance of Rousseau's saying, in one of his works, that, as he and Madame Warens were proceeding to Charmettes, she was struck by the appearance of some blue flowers in the hedge, and exclaimed, "Here is the periwinkle still in flower." He then tells us, that thirty years afterward, being at Gressier, with M. Peyron, climbing a hill, he observed some in blossom among the bushes, which bore his memory back at once to the time when he was walking with Madame Warens, and he inadvertently cried, "Ah! there is the periwinkle." Rousseau relates this anecdote as a proof of the vivid recollection he had of every incident which occurred at a particular time of his life, and hence this flower is made to represent "les doux souvenirs." Oh! Memory, thou fond deceiver, To former joys recurring ever, And turning all the past to pain. Thou, like the world, the oppressed oppressing In thee must ever find a foe. GOLDSMITH. This plant attaches itself strongly to the earth, which it adorns; it encloses itself entirely with its flexible branches, which are covered with flowers that seem to reflect the colour of the sky. Thus our first sentiments are so lively, so pure, so innocent, that they seem to have a celestial origin; they mark a period of momentary happiness, and they ought to be treasured up among our most endearing recollections. And thus as in Memory's bark we shall glide That once made a garden of all the gay shore, Deceived for a moment, we'll think them still ours, And breathe the fresh air of life's morning once more. MOORE. SYMPATHY. THRIFT. The marygold above, to adorn the arched bar ; DRAYTON. THE Scientific name of this plant, statice, is derived from the Greek word σTaTIKOS (statikos), which expresses that which has the power to stop, unite, or retain. Next to box, it forms the prettiest border plant we know. The flowers of the thrift are small, numerous, turning toward the sun, and form pretty blue cups. To be seen to advantage they should be viewed through a microscope. The plant is cultivated for its modest beauty, but it grows naturally in marshy places, and especially by the seashore, where it binds the sands togetner by its numerous roots. This quality is the bond which unites man to his fellowman, and, without it, each individual would be a distinct spe cies by himself. Kindness by secret sympathy is tied; DRYDEN. Shame on those breasts of stone that cannot melt, AARON HILL. |