APPENDIX 365 



tender solicitude which it exacts for the habits and character- 

 istics, tastes and welfare of each plant, endows the least thing 

 utilised by this art with almost a personality. The relative con- 

 nection of one plant with another the tall, aspiring Principal ; 

 the Secondary, which seems inclined to follow its lead, yet 

 hesitates half-way with questioning doubt ; the Tertiary below, 

 in squat contentment these admit of endless variety of inter- 

 pretation. To the Japanese every flower has its meaning and 

 associations, as well as every combination of flowers. The force 

 of contrast is ever present in their designs ; the opposite sexes 

 are supposed to be represented, strength and weakness, stern- 

 ness and tenderness, &c. Without learning the grammar of 

 their complicated flower-language, might we not nevertheless 

 increase our artistic pleasure in flower arrangements by trying 

 to give them a suitableness and a meaning which they have 

 hitherto lacked? The old, long established English fashion of 

 massing together in a vase may still hold its own for certain 

 kinds of flowers ; but, so strong is the fascination of the Japanese 

 principle, that, once it is adopted, it will probably assert its 

 authority even amongst a bunch of Primroses or Violets. 



CONSTANCE LYTTON. 



