Better confide and be deceived,

A thousand times, by treacherous foes,
Than once accuse the innocent,

Or let suspicion mar repose.

F. S. O.

SWEET REMEMBRANCES.

PERIWINKLE.

Through primrose tufts in that sweet bower,
The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;
And 't is my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air that breathes.

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,

Still importunate and vain,

To former joys recurring ever,

And turning all the past to pain.

Thou, like the world, the oppressed oppressing
Thy smiles increase the wretch's wo;
And he who wants each other blessing,

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
To visit the scenes of our boyhood anew-
Though oft we may see, looking down on the tide,
The wreck of full many a hope shining through –
Yet still, as in fancy we point to the flowers,

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;
The double daysie, thrift, the button batcheler.

DRAYTON.

THE scientific name of this plant, statice, is derived from the Greek word oraTIKOS (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 species by himself.

Kindness by secret sympathy is tied;
For noble souls in nature are allied.

DRYDEN.

Shame on those breasts of stone that cannot melt,
In soft adoption of another's sorrow!

AARON HILL.

THE HEART THAT KNOWS NOT

LOVE.

WHITE ROSEBUD.

Untouched, upon its thorny stem,

Hangs the pale rose unfolding.

HURDIS.

BEFORE the breath of Love animated the world, all the roses were white, and every heart was insensible.

"Twas from Love, I borrowed, too,
My sweet perfume, my purple hue.

When Love was born in Eden's bower,
The first soft blush of Eve was shed
On a white rose-her emblem-flower-
Which ever since has blossomed red!

ANON.

F. S. O.

TIME.

WHITE POPLAR.

THE white poplar is one of the most valuable of our indigenous trees, and grows to the height of more than ninety feet, towering its superb head upon a straight silvered trunk. The ancients consecrated it to Time, because the leaves are in con

tinual agitation; and being of a blackish green on the upper side, with a thick white cotton on the other, they were supposed to indicate the alternation of the day and night.

And Time, with a footstep soft and light,
As the maiden's own, went by that night.

F. S. O.

TIMIDITY.

MARVEL OF PERU.

THIS plant is called mirabilis, and with some degree of rea son, for it is a most admirable flower; it expands its richly-dyed corollas at night, whence it has been named by the French, belle-de-nuit.

It is universally considered to be the emblem of timidity, from its shunning the brilliant light of day, and only venturing to display its charms in the cool of the evening.

The mimosa, or sensitive plant, has been assigned as the symbol of chastity and prudery, but we think it may be more properly used as the sign of timidity; as it seems to fly from the hand that would touch it. At the least approach, the leaves shrink within themselves. The petiole then droops, and if the plant be low, it touches the earth. Even a cloud passing between it and the rays of the sun, is sufficient to change the situation of its leaves and the general aspect of the plant.

Timidity, of all afraid,

Her wreath of the mimosa braid.