Lead him from tree to tree, from flower to flower;
But be not won; or thou wilt, like that bird,
When caught and caged, be left to pine neglected,
And perish in forgetfulness.

DISDAIN.

YELLOW CARNATION.

MISS LANDON.

As disdainful people generally exact homage and possess little amiability, so with this plant, it is the least beautiful and fragrant of its kind, yet requires continual care and attention.

Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes,
Misprising what they look on.

SHAKSPEARE.

In the flash of her glances, were passion and pride,
In the curve of her lip, there was haughty contempt,

As she spoke of the power to riches allied,

Of the evil and pain from which she was exempt.

F. 8. O.

DISSENSION-RUPTURE.

A BROKEN STRAW.

THE Custom of breaking a straw, to express taat treaties are broken, may be traced to the first days of monarchy; it may even be said to be of royal origin.

The old chroniclers relate, that in 922, Charies the Simple, seeing himself abandoned by the principal lords of his court, had the imprudence to convoke an assembly at the Champ-deMai, at Soissons. He sought his friends there, but fi und only a factious crew, whose audacity was increased by his weakness. Some reproached him with indolence; with his prodigalities, and his blind confidence in his minister Haganan; others were angry for the dishonour of his concessions to Raoul, chief of the Normans. Surrounded by their foul sedition, he prayed, promised, and thought to escape by the display of new weaknesses, but in vain. When they saw him without moral courage, their audacity had no bounds; they even declared that he ceased to be their king. At these words, which they pronounced with every sign of violence, accompanied by menaces, they advanced to the foot of the throne, broke some straws which they held in their hands, threw them roughly on the ground, and retired, after expressing by this action that they broke treaty with him.

This example is the most ancient of its kind that we know; but it proves that for a long time this mode of breaking an oath had been in use, since the vassals did not think it necessary to add a single word of explanation, as they felt sure of being understood.

Alas! how light a cause may move
Dissension between hearts that love!
Hearts that the world in vain has tried,
And sorrow but more closely tied;

That stood the storm when waves were rough,
Yet in a sunny hour fall off

Like ships, that have gone down at sea,

When heaven was all tranquillity!

A something, light as air-a look,

A word unkind or wrongly taken

Oh! love, that tempests never shook,

A breath, a touch, like this hath shaken

The last link is broken,

That bound me to thee;

The words thou hast spoken

Have rendered me free!

DISGUISE.

MOORE

BAYLEY.

COMMON STRAMONIUM.

THIS plant is of a very dangerous nature, though it clothes itself with an elegant indented foliage, and garnishes its branches with corollas of a graceful and negligent shape so purely white that it lulls suspicion of its true character to rest. Its charms only allure, that its powerful narcotic poison may more easily destroy. Several instances of its baneful effects upon persons who have endeavoured to chew it are on record. Only a few years back, a child who had amused herself with this poisonous plant, was so affected as to be in the greatest danger, from which she was rescued only by the prompt assistance of a medical practitioner.

First I would bid thee cherish Truth,
As leading-star in virtue s train;
Folly may pass, nor tarnish youth,
But Falsehood leaves a poison-stain.

ELIZA COOK.

Ay! doomed, indeed!-to worse than death;
To teach those sweet lips hourly guile;
To breathe through life but Falsehood's breath,
And smile with Falsehood's smile!

F. S. O.

Ah! gay to you my smile may seem: 't is but the lightning brief

That flashes from a darkened soul through gathering clouds

of grief.

F. 5. O.

Though dark the heart that throbs beneath

The cestus in despair;

What matters it? — the jewel-wreath

Can hide the ruin there!

And oh though still my diamonds blaze

Above a spirit lonely,

And see my jewels only!

Yes! I would have them deem me blest;

And wealth, at least, may be

A glittering veil for broken rest
And endless misery!

F. 8. O.

DO ME JUSF.CE.

CHESTNUT-TREE.

Thanks to Benevolus-he spares me yet
These chestnuts ranged in corresponding lines.

COWPER.

CHESTNUTS are enclosed two, three, or four, in one husk or shell, covered with prickles. Those who are unacquainted with this beautiful tree neglect its fruit in consequence of its rough appearance.

DURABILITY.

CORNELIAN

CHERRY-TREE.

A huntress issuing from the wood,
Reclining on her cornel-spear she stood.

DRYDEN.

THE Cornel-tree does not grow higher than eighteen or twentv feet. It lives for ages, but grows very slowly; it blooms in

he spring, and yields its crimson berries in the winter. They