The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1855-06-30
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FLOW Frs.

At the regular June exhibition of the New
York Horticultural society. W. C.. Bryant
who had been engaged to deliver an address
was prevented by mdiposition. After his
letter, stating his inability to be present. was
read, the Rev. Mr.. OSgood made the follow
Ing beautiful speech:
In this world of sharp corners have tried
to do few good-natnicd things, but | think
10 consent to come here to speak among the
flowers where Bryant was expected is GER
tainlv no small sacrifice. You are disap-
pointed, and am inclined to believe that the
flowers are two: for all beauties have kind
of an understanding with each other and are
fond of each others society: and have no
doubt but there is II sympathetic vein between
the beauty ofthe flower and the beauty of
the fancy of the poet. But remember once
of aiding in the poems of a Russian poet OF
clod of earth that was fragrant: and they
asked it, 'What is this. are you musk or
amber that your are so fragrant :" And the
clod replied, "Oh, no! am nothing but
earth; but the roses have dwelt near me, and
their sweetness has penetrated all my being"
SO then listen to me, although ] may be but
clod among the flowers. You expected
Bryant to address you tonight 1t is pleas
ant thing that our great American poet has
been so much interested in the culture OF
flowers; and it is also pleasant that he has
written letter that shows so much knowl.
edge as well as 50 much heart. We find that
his majestic Imagination is willing to stop
and see beauty in the wayside flower. Now
ladies and gentlemen, will not conceal i,
from you that am in difficulty. | am
here to say something. What shall it be
suppose that Wall-st. is here tonight in good
numbers. Wal-st is everywhere. believe
that he is very much illuminated. am IL.
clincd to think that old Cent Per Cent wHoh
nc is counting his dollars in Wall-st once iI
while dreams of green fields and blooming
flowers. Whenever little child comes tc
him with boquet Of flowers | warrant YOU
that his heart beats in the impulses of true
humanity, and old cent per cent is after all q
man. Goethe, in his Faust, makes Mcphs.
tophlcs fear tho influence of flowers Whcr
nc was claiming Faust showers of roses fell
about them, and soon Mcphistophilcs becam,
alarmed for himself, and was so affected thai
Nc was obliged to close his nostlils lest he
should he converted and be no longer devil
The value of flowers is not in what the,
bring IN the market, but in their own lowell
ness. When we ask of the little flower wha
is its use, it car ask back to many of us
"ST, ofwhat use are you!" There ar, man,
of us who live worldly and not beautiful
life, who would find it pretty hard to stant
the test OF the little flowers catcchiSln
When we make a present we find it Difficult
TO direct what to give. We desire that gif
I've valuable. But there is one coin which il
the market of sentiment is always gold it il
the coinage of Natures sweet flowers. Tn,
language of flowers always goes to the heart
IT is language not in books, but it is writ
ten in the hicoroglyph OF Nature itself d,
not know how they learn it, but we have nj
had the proof that they understand it; and i
person who has reached the years of dis
erection has never felt this language of flower
60 direct to his heart, | can only say that
look upon HIM with feelings of commiscra
ton. So much for the beauty of flowers
those messengers of Heaven that are so con
santly rcbuknc our gross utilitaranism, an,
teach us that God has made life to be lovo1
as we'll as useful. believe that we ar
Americans, for think great deal of bcin
an American. five try to be some thin
else than what We are, VIC simply make our
selves ridiculous. IF we try to be Count
and Dukes, we are just nothing at all, Meth
er Counts. Dukes nor Americans. The tru
course is for man to bc himself, the son c
his own father, and the fellow-c citizen of hi
own fellow citizen. With this great idea i
the minds OF the people. can see nobl
future for America in social rcfncmcnts an
beautiful tastes. We are to have life ia
moro beautiful and festive than we have eve
known. What connection there is betwee
the cultivation of flowers and the refinement
of home! With horticulture VIC have seen
new system of architecture. What nam
stands higher than that Of Downing! G
where you will and you will see some mt
MORALS of his fine fancy-some monument
his architectural skill. We are bushes
people. and will welcome the day when o,
homes, in the green fields under the sprcat
ing trees, wcshall enjoy ourselves with chill,
hood and age, man and woman, music an
flowers, and will receive the bencdiction
God smiling down upon us.