HOPE. HAWTHORN.Cratagus. Now let me sit beneath the whitening thorn." "And hope, that decks the peasant's bower, Shines like the rainbow through the shower:" Cunningham. In floral language the hawthorn blossoms are made the happy emblem of Hope, from the custom of the Athenian girls crowning themselves with these flowers at weddings. The altar of Hymen was also lighted with torches of this tree, which from its gaseous nature, produces a bright flame in its green state. 66 Hope, like the glimmering taper's light, And still, as darker grows the night, Emits a brighter ray." Goldsmith. HORROR. CREEPING CEREUS.-Cactus flagelliformis. "O sight Of terror, foul and ugly to behold, Horrid to think, how horrible to feel!" Milton. This plant, so dangerous to the touch, is frequently called the serpent, and from hence the emblem. Yet Flora has bestowed upon it one of the most beautiful flowers in nature. HOSPITALITY. OAK.-Quercus. "the sturdy oak, A prince's refuge once." This noble British tree that feeds our herds, shelters our persons, and protects our com merce, "Stems the vast main, and bears tremendous war 66 To distant nations, or with sov'reign sway, Philips. Receive the shipwreck'd on your friendly shore; Dryden. HUMANITY. MARSH-MALLOw.-Althaa officinalis. "Alas! when mallows in the garden die." This plant, so celebrated for relieving the wounds of our ancestors, and decorating their graves, is also made the emblem of a sweet or mild disposition. enquire the wretched out, And court the office of soft humanity?" |