Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1856-06-11
Original Artitle,
Written for the Smyrna Times.
FLOW ERS.
BY MEZZTE.

There is no pursuit which harmoniZcs more
agreeubly with feminine graces and purity than
the cultivation Of flowers 1t combines taste
with amusement, health with virtue, and pro-
vides an alluring occupation for all gentle, re-
fined aud cultivated minds. love for flowers
appears TO be indigenous in the female heart,
and, Among some of our higher classes, threat
ems TO bocomc passion. Our language hash
appropriate words in which to express that spe-
cies Of profound admiration with which the
intense votaries of flowers regard their favo.
rites. 1t is not, Of course, divine homage; but
yet there seems TO be no word so expressive OF
the emotion and the act, az alteration. What
loving eyes!-they turn upon the expanding
blossom. How are they absorbed in the con-
t .nplatioh of its beauties Whit signs they
utter when ITS brightness wanes! Although
there may be some dlsproportion in this pas
sionate attachment to flower, it eyinces, never.
theless, delicate perception Of the beautiful
aud sympathy with nature, which, under pro-
per regulation, would exalt the soul to the con.
temptation and love of that beauty which is in
visible, transcendant, and underived. Know,
ledge Of Tie economy and laws of the vegetable
kingdom, ennobles the culture of flowers, gives
a superior charm 10 the garden and the green
house. the woodland ramble, and the walk b,
the wayside.
Every one must be convinced that there is
creative and governing power at work in th,
kingdoms of nature, none Of our senses cal
perceiye,--an intelligence that came before
that lies beyond, aud that shines through: di
recting, according 70 perfect plan, the i'm
prssive elements into form and order. Til
wandering thought, too often the slave of th
eye, loses sight Of this divine agency, aud rest
upon the beautiful but inert image. Still. !
contemplating the vegetable kingdom. there
less danger pf this, than in the study Of high,
systems Of organization, or of mecbanis
more complex; the objects being Of a nature
surprisingly beautiful as to lessen the tempt
tions TO Matcrialism, and easily wait the min
TO their great Author. How much mistake
therefore, are those ascetics who denounce Il
cultivation of flowers. as tending to draw Il
soul from God No part Of the material ere
ton furnishes such striking embeIns Of th
perfection Of loneliness which, perhaps, ente
less frequently into our conception Of the Deit
than His loftier or more benevolent attribute
Yet amid these fair and fraiI symbols of in
hiteexcellence, the well-instracted eye discer
That chain, 50 often invisible, which, bfgi
Strong and e.sctric, binds the expressive ei
blem 10 the Infinite attribute, making plant
lAndscape like pictured transcript of its NJ
ker' uaiil tree becomes an embodied hym
and every eifervescence song Of praise.
u ono klud of study or habit Of thought
more valuable than another, il is that viii
leads The soul mo It Frequently and devoutly il
ne fr''ssaee pi the Deity. TO this end.
eAaeatloa spollld be dirccted--evcry taste a
Pafsn't eoHsecrated Guards should be pae
s'sa' tho 5cnng susceptibiliies, TO prev,
''e pielslag works of God from ihtcrceptnst
'ppfePF'aiiag That love and ho,nsgc which