FLOWERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1499, 7 August 1880, Page 27

FLOWERS.

Spake full wel), in language quaint and olden, One who dwelleth by the castled Rhine, When he called the flowers, so blue and golden, Stars that in earth's firmament do shine. —Longfellow. We bring flowers to crown tho blushing bride, and flowers we lay upon the still breast of the dead. Flowers are flung across flashing footlights; and tenderly we place them over coffin-lids, and twine them round green graves in summer-time. They speak a silent language, and they teach many wonderful lessons—these children of the fields — these poet& of nature. They may well be called Stars that in earth's firmament do shine: for, like the stars, they proclaim the glory of the Creator. As some one has well said: Not worlds on worlds, in phalanx deep, Need we to prove a God is here; The daisy, fresh from winter's sleep, Tells of His hand in lines as clear. The last snowdrifts of winter are now fading from nature's breast, and the soft, warm rain is already falling on The daisy of Burns and the shamrock of Moore. The lily, virgin-white, with heart of gold, the dark, dew-gemmed violet, the rose-bud, bursting into bloom, are coming back to us again, and they tell us that Frovidenoe still watches over all the earth. For, Flowers are the alphabet of angels, whereby They write on hills and fields mysterious truths. A love of flowers indicates a purity of soul and a natural tenderness of heart. He who has read "Nicholas Niokleby," does not readily forget the kind old bookkeeper who cherished in his attic window a few dusty plants, in earthen pots, to remind him of the country fields and meadows. How grateful is the fragrance of flowers in a sick-room ! In their perfume there is a sympathy which goes straight to the heart of every invalid. Many and many a poor seamstress and hard worked clerk in large cities, next summer, will long to breathe the airi r Of the primrose and cowslip sweet, and all in vain ! How thankful should they ba who oan wander through the pleasant meadows, and lie down by running sti earns, and look up into the blue sky, and let the perfume of the flowers steal into their hearts and sweeten all their lives ! E. J. M.