There is something delightful in the use which the eastern poets, particularly the Persian, make of flowers in their poetry.  Their allusions are not casual, and in the way of metaphor and simile only; they seem really to hold them in high admiration.  I am not aware that the flowers of Persia, except the rose, are more beautiful or more various than those of other countries.  Perhaps England, including her gardens, green-houses, and fields, having introduced a vast variety from every climate, may exhibit a list unrivalled, as a whole, in odour and beauty.  Yet flowers are not with us held in such high estimation as among the Orientals, if we are to judge from their poets.

Bowers of roses and flowers are perpetually alluded to in the writings of eastern poets.  The Turks, and indeed the Orientals in general, have few images of voluptuousness without the richest flowers contributing towards them.  The noblest palaces, where gilding, damask, and fine carpeting abound, would be essentially wanting in luxury without flowers.  It cannot be from their odour alone that they are thus identified with pleasure; it is from their union of exquisite hues, fragrance, and beautiful forms, that they raise a sentiment of voluptuousness, in the mind; for whatever unites these qualities can scarcely do otherwise.

Whoever virtuously despises the opinion that simple and cheap pleasures, not only good, but in the very best taste, are of no value because they want a meretricious rarity, will fill their apartments with a succession of our better garden flowers.  It has been said that flowers placed in bedrooms are not wholesome.  This cannot be meant of such as are in a state of vegetation.  Plucked and put into water, they quickly decay, and doubtless, give out a putrescent air; when alive and growing, there need not be any danger apprehended from them, provided fresh air is frequently introduced.  For spacious rooms, the better kinds, during warm weather, are those which have a large leaf and bossy flower.  Large leaves have a very agreeable effect on the senses; their rich green is grateful to the sight; of this kind, the Hydrangaea is remarkably well adapted for apartments, but it requires plenty of water.  Those who have a greenhouse connected with their dwellings, have the convenience, by management, of changing their plants as the flowers decay; those who have not, and yet have space to afford them light and occasionally air, may rear most of those kinds under their own roof, which may be applied for ornament in summer.  Vases of plaster, modelled from the antique, may be stained any colour most agreeable to the fancy, and fitted with tin cases to contain the earthen pots of flowers, to prevent the damp from acting on them, will look exceedingly well.