12 INTRODUCTION. 



Since that period, flower-gardening has progress- 

 ed rapidly ; and the amusement of floriculture has 

 become the dominant passion of the ladies of Great 

 Britain. It is a passion most blessed in its effects, 

 considered as an amusemnt or a benefit. Nothing 

 humanizes and adorns the female mind more surely 

 than a taste for ornamental gardening. It compels 

 the reason to act, and the judgment to observe ; it 

 is favorable to meditation of the most serious kind ; 

 it exercises the fancy in harmless and elegant oc- 

 cupation, and braces the system by its healthful 

 tendency. A flower-garden, to the young and sin- 

 gle of my sex, acts upon the heart and affections 

 as a nursery acts upon the matronly feelings. It 

 attaches them to their home ; it throws a powerful 

 charm over the spot dedicated to such deeply inter- 

 esting employment ; and it lures them from dwell- 

 ing too deeply upon the unavoidable disappoint- 

 ments and trials of life, which sooner or later dis- 

 turb and disquiet the heart. 



An amusement which kings and princes have 

 stamped with dignity, and which has afforded them 

 recreation under the toils of government, must be- 

 come for ever venerated, and will be sought for by 

 every elegant as well as by every scientific mind. 

 Floriculture ranges itself under the head of female 

 accomplishments in these our days ; and we turn 

 with pity from the spirit which will not find in her 

 " garden of roses" the simplest and purest of 

 pleasures. 



