The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-07-04
[For the Gazette.]
FLOWERS

Afe not flowers Che Of earth are not stars the
aowers Of Heaven? Flowers are the teachers Of gen
tier thoughts, and the prompters Of kindly emotions
accidentally happened to be present at the
late monthly exhibition Of the Davenport and
Rock Island Horticultural Society. The hall
was thronged with youth, beauty and talent, but
all were forgotten in the fragrance, iovelness and
display of flowers made by the cultivated taste
and refinement Of the members Of the Society.
Nothing affords surer criterion ofthe advance
of our country in taste and refinement than The
increased attention which is given to flowers and
fruit. Every thing which tends to increase do
mestic enjoyment, which furnishes to family
that pleasure at home, which otherwise they
would be compelled 10 seek elsewhere, is yalua.
bic. There is nothing which adds more 10 hap
piness, than for ALL the members OF family to be
united in one common and pleasant pursuit.
Not that all should have the same daily occupa-
ton, but that there should be some source of
pleasure open to all, and to increase which, all
should in their turn contribute. No employment,
perhaps can so eectually give this unison Of pnr-
pose, and this sympathy Of feeling, as the cult
vation of flowers. II opens wide prospect of
enjoyment, with scores to suit many varying
tastes. To the scientific mind, to ono who loves
to search out causes and effects, to discover the
hidden properties and qualities of things, what an
interesting and yet almost untrodden field does
botany PRESENT. Then, to one whose heart pre-
dominates over the intellect; who delights in SEN
tmen', who prefers deep feeling 10 lofty thought,
garden yields many exquisite delights. His
poetic mind gathers much Of its finest imagery,
its most beautiful thoughts, from the fragrance
and loveliness of flowers, and it is quickened and
enlightened by the thoughtful contemplation of
their varied graces.
And for humber purposes, for less exalted ma
tures, the riches of Flora furnish much gratifca.
ton. To the true and affectionate heart, what
swecter tribute can be offered to the con6ding
lover, to the invalid mother, or the declining sis
ter, than the first fruits OF the garden, and the
first buds ofthe rose? Even the little child laughs
in the fulness Of its happiness, when it is permit
ted to play with the flowers and fill its lap with
these beauties of nature. With this one amuse-
ment, all ages and all tempers can find an appro-
pirate qualification; all may be made more happy.
II ministers, also, to mans moral nature, produ-
cling feelings Of contentment and satisfaction
feelings which show themselves forth in acts OF
kindness and words Of affection.
Another advantage which the cultivation Of
flowers affords over other pleasures, is, that il
can hardly be wrested TO evil. Absorbing as it
is, it produces no feverish excitement. Bringing
the mind into close contact with the loveliest
things in nature, il shuts out the vexatious feel
ings arising from collision with the world. Its
pleasures are calm and tranquil. The ccntenn-
plation of any Of the works of God, has mighty
effect in soothing and quieting the tumult Of hu-
man passions, and this precious power over the
heart is freely given, even to the "lillies of the
field"
Where you see love for flowers, that is not
the place to look for the turbulence of passion,
or the debasement Of sensuality. When you see
b. the road side cottage around whose door the
sweet briar and the honey-suckle are climbing,
and before which, in its little garden, is display
ed even the humber fowers-the marygold, the
aster, and the poppy-instnctiyely do we form
favorable opinion ofthe inhabitants Of that cot.
tage. How certain we may be Of finding peace,
conten,m ,ment, and affection, in the inmates there.
l. n, 4 s~Eektu ri a c..