Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-08-08
For the Times.
FLOWERS,

FLOWERS.
Who does not love to wander away from the
dust and din of the city, to the open fields and
praires, to inhale the breath of Heaven, sweet
ened by the perfume of innumerable flowers and
cnlivened by the songs Of numberless warblers;
to loter upon the banks of the murmuring stream
let, or climb to the top of an eminence and drink
in the soul inspiring beauty of the surrounding
landscape? What eye so dull as to be insensi-
BILE to the beauties of such scene, or what heart
so sordid as not to be made better by such COM
munings with the beautiful in Nature Methnks
he who can contemplate the beauties of an undu-
lating landscape without an emotion-who can
gaze upon the glores of the setting sun without
feeling Of admiration who looks upon the
Rendering rivulet, or the majestic waterfall, as
matters of course, who discovers no beauty in the
modest flower which he tramples ruthlessly under
his feet, is filter for an inhabtant of the frigid
zone or the desert wastes of Sahara, than this
fair land of ours. know there are those who
in the hurry of business or the eager pursuit of
the phantoms of pleasure, fancy they have no
time to devote to these lesser objects, they
pleased to style them, but trust in majority of
minds there is an increasing love for the beauti-
full. Nothing contributes more to the moral and
intellectual elevation Of people, than proper
appreciation of the beauties which everywhere
surround them. Hence it is that we behold the
face of nature everywhere clothed with mantle
of unspotted beauty. Go where you will, to what
ever corner of the globe, and under whatever Cir
cumstances, the lover of nature finds objects to
crafty his curiosity and call forth his admira-
ton. But especially here in this farest portion
Of earth, where new beauties spring up at every
step, does he find food for his admiration sufi-
cient to crafty his most ardent desire.
But it was Of flowers in particular that | was
going to speak-modest, beautiful fowers-em-
blems of innocence, meekness and purity. Scat
tered in wild profuson over our prairies and
woodlands, they everywhere rear their modest
heads to please the eve and cheer the heart of
earth's weary wanderers. Who does not feel his
load of care ghtened as he beholds the beauty
or breathes the fragrance of sweet flower. 1t
transports US back to the days of our innocent
childhood when we rcveled in the sunshine of a
devoted mothers love, pure affection Of broth
crs and sisters, without thought or care for the
future, or dark cloud to obscure our bright hor-
ION. Our hearts mi ht then be aptly compared
to a beautiful flower garden, which by the skill
and industry of the gardener has been kept free
from the intrusion of weeds. So by the assidu-
Gus care of a careful mother, our hearts are
kept from the communicating influence of, evil
around us. Alas, when removed from that pa
rental home, and that watchful eye is no longer
over us, we shall soon forget those heavenly
teachings, and suffer the weeds and thorns of the
world to spring up and choke them. In that fair
garden are beautiful exotics transplantcd from
the genial cline Of heaven, and unless watched
over and cultivated with care, they withcr and die
in the barren soil of the heart. All, that we
might always remain CHI ldrcn, at least in spirit.
But since we cannot, since the realities of life
must be met and its duties performed, let us strive
to cultivate the tender plants of love- friendship
and charity, that they be not overshadowed or
choked by the fast growing mistleoe of selfish
ness.
The cultivation of flowers is one of the most
beautiful and pleasing occupations in which we
can engage. The mind is drawn off from the
grosser objects of the world and thrown into con-
slant contact and communion with the beauties
of Failure. The heart receives new strength to
30 forth to the battles Of life, to meet its yicss
tudcs and to discharge Alright its mutifarous du-
ties. know there those who say that an admi-
ration for flowers is efcminate and childish
Granting that it is, who does not admire that
trait of female character, that delicate TASTE that
nice appreciation of the beautiful, those charac-
teristics which so eminently fit her to adorn the
station in the family circle of sister, companion,
and mother? But such is not the case The
best and wisest men whom the world has ever
seen, passed the morning Of their lives amid the
rural scenes of nature David, the ''sweet sing
er of Israel, drew from the beauties with which
he was surrounded, that inspiration which gushed
forth from his full soul to charm the people of
all ages and all languages. The "fathcr of his
country" amid the rural scenes of his fathers
farm and garden, cultivated and established those
traits of character which fitted him to fight the
battles of his country, preside over her desti-
MES when at peace. a host of others might be
mentioned who have laid the foundation for great
ness amid such scenes, and who have ever cher
ished love for rural life. But this is one of the
luxuries and blessings which is not confined to
the rich or great but may be enjoyed alike by ALL
He who possesses spot Of ground, no matter how
small, may have little world of his own in the
cultivation of flowers. Hewho has home should
neglect no opportunity to make that home pleas
ant and attractive, and how can he better do this
than by the cultivation of flowers. Who does
not love to see the pleasant cottage rearing its
head amid the flowers and shrubs of beautiful
garden. 1t is one Of the beautiful spots of EARTH
an oasis in the desert where the weary traveller is
sure Of welcome from warm hearts, while he in
stinctiyely shuns the habitation which rears its
bare walls amid the surrounding desolation, for
he is sure there hearts there as cold and cheer
less as the forbidding aspect without. Does the
husband wish to make his home happy and cheer
fa, to be welcomed from labor by bright smiles
and cheering welcomes, let him cultivate flower
garden. Does the father wish to make home
more attractive, and implant in the hearts of his
children habits Of industry, and principles Of love
and affection for those around, and thus fit them
for usefulness, let him plant flower garden
Does the capitalist wish to increase the value and
saleableness of his property, let him adorn it
with flowers. Does the philanthropist wish to
cheer and bless mankind, let him engage in the
cultivation of flowers. HsNRY.
CV"Henry'' is welcome again. He isa close
observer of nature, and writes we'll. We agsee
with him that the cultivation Of flowers is condu-
Give to health, happiness and, refinement. We
hope he is the possessor of neat home, surroun-
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