Roses and their uses…..New York Tribune

"Since the days when the ‘sweet singer of Israel’ sung the praises of the rose of Sharon, the rose has been so transformed by the florist’s art that the flowers seen in the rose gardens of to-day bear but small resemblance to the humble little blossom which the tourists who visit the Holy Land see growing in that vicinity. The rose, with its constantly increasing beauty, has also increased in usefulness, and the ‘rose rest cure’ is the latest mode of usefulness to which the flower has been put."

"The rose held a high place in the estimation of the Greeks and Romans, who originated the idea of regarding it as symbolical of silence and a reminder of the confidential nature of any information obtained when partaking of hospitality. A rose was suspended above the table, and the guests who were breaking bread under the protection of friendship understood the mute reminder of the loyalty that enjoins silence regarding any information obtained under such circumstances. From this usage grew the expression ‘sub rosa,’ with which many individuals precede or close any information which the hearer is not to repeat. The rose is also supposed to be emblematic of certain sentiments, the nature of these depending on the color of the blossom bestowed. The pink rose symbolizes love, the white rose youth and the yellow jealousy."

"A pretty legend ascribes to an angel’s gift the extra beauty possessed by the moss rose, veiled with its mantle of green. The angel, grateful for the protection of a rose bush, asked the rose what gift it desired in return. The rose desired the angel to bestow another grace upon it, and the flower in a moment was covered with moss. Of the flowers’s lineage an old legend says: ‘I came from nectar spilled from heaven’; and in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus sorrowed alone, the rose bloomed as it still does in fragrance add beauty."

"The Boers of the Transvaal are fond of roses, and in Pretoria the streets are bounded by rose hedges, which for all but three months of each year are fragrant and beautiful with blossoms. All the public places display a profusion of roses of many varieties. The Burgher’s Park has a beautiful collection. This flower has been chosen as the floral emblem of several States, including New York, Iowa and North Dakota, the last two mentioned having chosen the wild rose."