LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 



Mankind in all ages have delighted to personify flowers, to imagine 

 them as possessing moral characters corresponding with their outward 

 appearance; thus we speak of the modest violet, the humble daisy, 

 Ihe proud tulip, and the flaunting peony. In those nations where the 

 imagination is lively, and leads men to the use of figurative language, 

 flowers are often made to speak the sentiments of the heart, in a man- 

 ner more delicate and impressive than could be done uy words. 



Even with us z who are not a people remarkable for brilliancy of 

 fancv, flowers lorm an interesting medium of communication, and 

 often awaken tender recollections. When our parlours or gardens 

 show us these living witnesses of a friend's kindness or affectionate 

 remembrance, we feel a pleasing emotion steal upon our hearts. A 

 shrub or tree presented us, by a departed friend, is a perennial monu- 

 ment to his memory, more touching to the heart than an inscription 

 on marble. 



It is a fact which may ever be noticed, that those who love flowers, 

 are social in their tastes, and delight to share their enjoyments with 

 others. In a sordid love of money, we see the reverse of this ; here, 

 so far from ihe wish to communicate to others, the heart seems to be- 

 come more and more dead to sympathies and benevolence. We 

 should seek to improve our affections and to calm our spirits by such 

 pursuits as seem best calculated to produce this effect. Hence, we 

 may indulge a fondness for flowers, as not only innocent, but favourable 

 to the health of the soul. 



Among the ancients, flowers were used in their religious celebra- 

 tions. Christians, even to this day, decorate their churches with flow- 

 ers and evergreens in seasons of peculiar solemnity. 



In many countries the dead are decked with flowers for their burial, 

 and the tombs are ornamented with garlands and festoons. Thus 

 Mrs. Hemans says : 



" Bring flowers, pale flowers, o'er the bier to shed, 

 A crown for the brow of the early dead ! 

 For this, through its leaves has the white rose burst, 

 For this in the woods was the violet mirs'd ; 

 Though they smile in vain for what once was ours, 

 They are love's last gift bring flowers, pale flowers." 



The bride of almost every nation is adorned with flowers; the rost 

 tnd orange U issom are among the favourites for this purpose. 



