The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-06-26 00:00:00

THE VALUE OF FLOWERS IN OUR
HOSPITALS.

Referring to this good work, in which probably many of
our readers can help, the StandArd, of Monday, remarks :

In our columns on Saturday a notice appeared from
a correspondent, who last summer made weekly
presents of flowers to the patients of the infirm and
bed-ridden wards of St. Pancras Workhouse, to the
effect that he would be happy to receive contributions
in kind during the present season, to be devoted to the
same purpose. He should not make his appeal in vain.
The movement is in a certain sense supplementary of
that already set on foot for supplying flowers to the
inmates of our metropolitan hospitals, and it is one
which should only need mentioning to commend itself
to those who have the power to contribute towards it.
It is no exaggeration to say that the love of flowers is
part of our very nature. They are the chief memorials
of the time of man's innocence ere the world was
blighted by sin and sorrow. These are unchanged
where all else is changed; and as "sweet nurslings of
the vernal skies" are ever welcome. If there is one
time more than another when we appreciate their re-
freshing beauty and fragrance it is in sickness or in the
weary hours when we are confined to our rooms. It is
then that their colours seem purer and brighter, their
odours more exquisite, than at other times; and if we
had to name a place where more than another they are
welcomed we should name the wards of a workhouse
or hospital, for it must be remembered that the poor
and unlearned have as great as and perhaps
even a greater Appreciation of flowers than the
rich and educated. And this delight in flowers
seems to be even stronger among the poor dwellers in
towns than among those in the country. The country-
bred poor who have moved into the towns love them
for their old associations, and the town-bred poor love
them all the more because they so seldom see them
in their more natural haunts, as is evident from the
triumph with which a nosegay of the commonest
flowers is brought from the country, and by the
care with which its brief life is prolonged in
town, by the assiduous cultivation of the few square
feet of earth which may be attached to a humble
town dwelling, so that it may produce the greatest
amount of bright-coloured and sweet-smelling flowers,
and last, but not least, by the "window gardening"
among our metropolitan poor, which has now assumed
the form of a specific branch of floriculture, assisted as
it has been. of late years by local associations and the
distribution of prizes for the best displays. To the
sick poor the sight and fragrance o flowers is doubly
grateful. One of our poets has said that

. . . "The meanest flower that blows can give
Thoughts that too often lie too deep for tears."

He might have well added thoughts and feelings of
joy too deep for words, as those can testify who have
seen a pale, wan face light up at the sight of a fresh
nosegay.
We will hope, then, that this movement for sup-
plying hospital and workhouse wards with a daily
succession of flowers will establish itself. One or two
ladies, or a committee of ladies, might associate them-
selves together, in connection with each institution for
this purpose, naming a certain address where floral
presents would be received • or perhaps the authorities
of the institutions themselves would receive them, to
be daily sorted out and arranged by ladies who would
offer themselves for this kindly office. It would then
only remain for those who have town gardens and con-
servatories to forward contributions out of their
abundance; whilst even those who live in the distant
suburbs or country districts might join in a work which
would not fail to secure the fullest appreciation from
those en whose behalf it is performed.