FLORAL RECORDS. 15 



Wortley Montague who first told our country- 

 women how the fair maidens of the East had 

 lent a mute speech to flowers, and could 

 send a letter by a bouquet. Here is part of 

 a Turkish love-letter sent by her in a purse 

 to a friend. She says, speaking of this lan- 

 guage, " There is no colour, no flower, no 

 weed, no fruit, herb, pebble, or feather that 

 has not a verse belonging to it ; and you may 

 quarrel, reproach, or send letters of passion, 

 friendship, or civility, or even of news, with- 

 out even inking your fingers." 



In her letter the following flowers are 

 employed : 



JONQUIL. Have pity on my passion. 

 ROSE. May you be pleased, and all your sorrows 

 be mine. 



A STRAW. Suffer me to be your slave. 



A pearl, a pear, soap ; cloth, hair, and gold 

 wire, were all pressed into the same service : 

 but as we have only to do at present with 

 flowers, we omit the meanings of the other 

 contents of Lady Mary's purse. 



The European flower-language was utilized, 



