CHINA ASTER. VARIETY, THE numerous family of radiated flowers were named Aster, from the Greek word, signifying Star. Our European gardens are indebted for the China Aster to Father d'Incarville, a Jesuit mis. sionary, who, about the year 1730, sent seeds of it to the royal garden at Paris. At first the plants produced only single flowers of one uniform colour; but through cultivation and change of soil, double varieties were obtained, and so diversified in colour, that they form one of the principal ornaments of our parterres from July to November; and the China Aster is thence made the emblem of variety. In like manner, study is capable of multiplying without limit the graces and refinements of the uncultivated mind. Brilliant and majestic, the Aster does not pretend to rival the rose, but it succeeds her, and consoles us in autumn for her absence. It was at first supposed that the Chinese were acquainted only with the single purple Aster that was sent to France; but they possess all the varieties which we admire, and display a taste in the arrangement of these star-formed flowers which leaves the British florist far in the back-ground. Even our most curious amateurs have yet to learn what effect these plants are capable of producing by their gay corollas, when carefully distributed by the hand of taste. Figure to yourself for instance a bank sloping to a piece of water, covered with these gay flowers, so arranged as to rival the richest patterns of Per. sian carpets, or the most curious figures that can be devised by the artist in filigree. Imagine them reflected in the water, and you will have a faint idea of the enchanting effect produced by these brilliant stars in the gardens of China. I once attempted this kind of decoration, of which a celebrated traveller had talked to me a great deal, but failed to produce the full effect intended, owing to the lack of that profusion of flowers, that variety of shades of the same colour, and, above all, that admirable Chinese patience, which conquers all obstacles. My little theatre however, which was rather disposed in stripes than in steps, delighted all who beheld it; and many were astonished, as well as myself, that nothing of the kind had ever yet been attempted for the decoration of our gardens or to set off our festivities. 9 TUBEROSE. DANGEROUS PLEASURES. THIS Superb child of the East, to which Linneus gave by way of eminence the epithet Polianthes, from two Greek words signifying a town and a flower, because it is generally cultivated and sold in towns, was first brought from Persia to France in 1632. It was then but single, and double flowers were not produced till long afterwards by a skilful florest of Leyden, named Lecour. It has since spread over all the world. In Russia, indeed, it flowers only for sovereigns and the great; but it has become naturalized in Peru, where it grows without culture, and unites with the glow. ing nasturtium to adorn the bosom of the American beauty. The flower of the Tuberose, which grows on the top of a very tall, slender stem, is of a white colour, sometimes tinged with a blush of pink. Its perfume is delicious, rich and powerful. If you would enjoy it without danger, keep at some distance from the plant. To increase ten-fold the pleasure which it affords, come with the object_of your affection to inhale its perfume by moonlight, when the nightingale is pouring forth his soul in song: The Tuberose, with her silvery light, Is called the mistress of the night, She comes out when the sun's away. MOORE. Then, by a secret virtue, these grateful odours will add an inexpressible charm to your enjoy. ment; but if, regardless of the precepts of mode. ration, you will approach too near, this divine flower will then be but a dangerous enchantress, which will pour into your bosom a deadly poison. Thus the love which descends from heaven purifies and exalts the delights of a chaste passion; but that which springs from the earth proves the bane and the destruction of imprudent youth. |