Methinks with purpose soft ye come Of May's blue skies, abundant bloom, Alas! for me shall May in vain These eyes that weep and watch in pain Shall see her charms no more. No, no, this anguish cannot last! Beloved friends, adieu! The bitterness of death were past, Could I resign but you. Oh ye! who soothe the pangs of death Who breathe for me the tender sigh, And shed the pitying tear ; Whose kindness (though far, far removed) My grateful thoughts perceive, Pride of my life, esteemed, beloved, My last sad claim receive! Oh! do not quite your friend forget, And speak of her with fond regret MRS. TIGHE. The Camellia. Camellia Japonica. Class Monadelphia. Order Polyandria. THE genus Camellia was named in honour of G. J. Kamel, or Camellus, a Jesuit, and Botanical writer. The present species, a native of China and Japan, was introduced into England before 1742, by Robert James, Lord Petre. It was long extremely scarce, and treated as a stove plant, but it has gradually become a very general and justly prized ornament of the conservatory. The following sonnets combine the classic elegance and exquisite moral taste of their revered author. SONNET. TO THE CAMELLIA JAPONICA. SAY, what impels me, pure and spotless flower, To view thee with a secret sympathy? -Is there some living spirit shrined in thee That, as thou bloom'st within my humble bower, Endows thee with some strange mysterious power, Waking high thoughts? as there perchance might be Some angel form of truth and purity, Whose hallowed presence shared my lonely hour? W. ROSCOE. SONNET. As Venus wandered 'midst the Idalian bower, And marked the loves and graces round her play, *V She plucked a moss-rose from its dew-bent spray, "And this," she said, "shall be my favourite flower; For o'er its crimson leaflets I will shower Dissolving sweets to steal the soul away. That Dian's self shall own their sovereign sway, And feel the influence of my mightier power!" Then spoke fair Cynthia, as severe she smiled ;"Be others by thy amorous arts beguiled, Ne'er shall thy dangerous gift these brows adorn, To me more dear than all their rich perfume, The chaste Camellia's pure and spotless bloom, That boasts no fragrance, and conceals no thorn." W. ROSCOE. The Garden Anemone. Anemone Coronaria. Class Polyandria. Order Polygynia. THIS genus derives its name from a Greek word, which signifies the wind, probably because the downy seeds are so easily dispersed by it: its name of Pasque, or Easter Flower, was given from the time of its appearance here. The classical fable of Anemones having first sprung from the blood of Adonis, is well known. SHORT time ensued, till where the blood was shed, |