_The Christian Florist; containing the English and Botanical Names of
different Plants, with their Properties briefly delineated and
explained. Illustrated by Texts of Scripture, and accompanied with
Poetical Extracts from various Authors. First American, from the
Second London Edition. Philadelphia: Carey, Lea & Blanchard._
The title, which our readers will perceive is a long one, sufficiently
explains the nature and design of this little book. It is very well
adapted for a Christmas present, to those especially whose minds are
imbued at the same time with a love of flowers--and of him who is a
God of flowers, as well as of mightier things. The mechanical
execution of the volume is unexceptionable, and the rich colors of the
Dahlia show to no little advantage in the frontispiece. The poetical
selections are, for the most part, excellently chosen, and the prose
commentaries on each article in good taste, and often of great
interest.
Speaking of alterations made in the Second London Edition, the Authors
of the work say in their Preface "We believe it will be found that
most of those suggested have been adopted, with the exception of one,
which proposed the rejection of the first piece of Poetry attached to
the Sun Flower." These words excited our curiosity, and turning to
page 42, we found six lines from Moore. It seems these had been
objected to, not on account of any thing intrinsically belonging to
the verses themselves, (what fault indeed could be found there?) but
(will it be believed?) _on account of the author who wrote them_. The
Christian Florist deserves the good will of all sensible persons, if
for nothing else--for the spirit with which its authors have
disregarded a bigotry so despicable.
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