Natural Commodities.
The Dutch brought hither with them, not onely their profitable crafts, but pleasu∣rable cur•…•…osities. They were the first who advanced the use and reputation of Flowers in this City. A Flower is the best complexioned grass, (as a Pearl is the best coloured clay,) and daily it weareth Gods Livery, for* 1.1 He cloatheth the Grass in the Field. Solo∣mon himself is out-braved therewith, as whose gallantry onely was adopted, and on him, theirs innate and in them. In the morning (when it groweth up) it is a Lecture of Divine Providence; In the evening, (when it is cut down withered) it is a Lecture of Humane Mortality.
Single flowers are observed much sweeter then the double ones, (poor may be more fra∣grant in Gods nostrils then the rich) and let Florists assign the cause thereof, whether because the Sun doth not so much dry the Intricacies of such flowers which are Du∣plicated.
Great the Art in meliorating of flowers, and the Rose of Roses [Rosa Mundi] had its first being in this City. As Jacob used an ingenious* 1.2 invention to make Laban's cattle speckled or ring-straked, so, much the skil in making Tulips feathered and variegated, with stripes of divers colours.
In my judgement those flowers carry it clearly, which acquit themselves to a double sense, sight and smel, for though in some thing it may be true, Optime quae minime olent, yet in flowers (besides a negation of an ill) the position of a good sent, is justly required.