erected a castle, the walls of which were formed of curtains, carpets, and silk hangings. The most distinguished unmarried females of the place defended this fortress, which was attacked by the youth of the other sex. The missiles with which both parties fought consisted of apples, almonds, nutmegs, lilies, narcissuses, violets, but chiefly of Roses, which supplied the place of artillery. Instead of musketry, they discharged volleys of Rose-water and other liquid perfumes, by means of syringes. This entertainment attracted thou. sands of spectators from far and near, and the emperor Frederick Barbarossa himself accounted it one of the highest diversions that he had ever enjoyed.

In like manner, St.. Medard, Bishop of Noyon, in France, instituted in the sixth century a festival at Salency, his birth-place, for adjudging one of the most interesting prizes that piety has ever offered to virtue. This prize consists of a simple crown of Roses, bestowed on the girl who is acknowledged by all her competitors to be the most amiable, modest, and dutiful. The founder of this festival enjoyed the high gratification of crowning

his own sister as the first Rose-queen of Salency. The lapse of ages, which has overturned so many thrones and broken so many sceptres, has spared this simple institution; and the crown of Roses still continues to be awarded to the most virtuous of the maidens of that obscure village.

STRAWBERRY.

PERFECTION.

ONE of the most eminent French authors con. ceived the plan of writing a general history of nature, after the model of the ancients and of several moderns. A Strawberry plant, which by chance grew under his window, deterred him from this rash design. He investigated the Strawberry, and, in doing so, discovered so many wonders, that he felt convinced that the study of a single plant, and of its inhabitants, was sufficient to occupy a whole life. He therefore relinquished his design, gave up the ambitious title which he meditated for his work, and contented himself with modestly calling it "Studies of Nature."

From this book, worthy of Pliny and of Plato, may be derived a taste for observation and for the

higher class of literature; and it is there especially that the student will find a complete history of the Strawberry. This humble plant delights in the shelter of our woods, and covers their borders with that delicious fruit, which belongs to any one who pleases to gather it. It is a charming reserve, which Nature has subtracted from the exclusive

right of property, and which she rejoices in rendering common property to all her children.

The flowers of the Strawberry form pretty bouquets; but where is the barbarous hand that, in gathering them, would rob the future of its fruits! It is delightful to find, among the glaciers of the Alps, the plants and flowers of the Strawberry in all seasons of the year. When the travellerscorched by the sun, and sinking with fatigue on those rocks, old as the world, amidst forests of fir, half overwhelmed with avalanches-vainly secks a cabin to shelter him, or a fountain to refresh him, he suddenly perceives troops of young girls advancing from the defiles of the rocks, bearing baskets of Strawberries that perfume the air: they appear at once on the crags above him and in the yawning dells beneath. It would seem as if each

rock and tree were guarded by one of those nymphs whom Tasso placed at the gate of Armida's enchanted gardens. But, though equally attractive, the young Swiss girls are less danger. ous; and, while offering their alluring baskets to the traveller, instead of magically arresting his steps, they enable him to recruit his strength and renew his journey.

The learned Linneus was cured of frequent attacks of gout by the use of Strawberries. Often have they restored health to the invalid when all other medicines have failed. They constitute a favourite accompaniment of the lordly feast, and the most exquisite luxury of the rural repast. This charming fruit, which vies in freshness and perfume with the bud of the sweetest of flowers, delights the eye, the taste, and the smell, at the same time. Yet there are persons so unhappy as to dislike Strawberries, and to swoon at the sight of a rose. Is this astonishing, when there are persons who turn pale at the sight of superior merit, or on hearing of a noble action, as if the sight or record of virtue were a reproach to them. selves? Fortunately, these melancholy excep.