A PKEFACE OF MOTTOES. Vll 



" Blame me not laborious band, 



For the idle flowers I brought ; 

 Every aster in my hand 



Comes back laden with a thought." 



EMERSON. 



" I read the word of God in the flowers, in the little verdant 

 plants." FREDERIKA BREMER IN " Nina" 



" An eternal book 



Whence I may copy many a lovely saying 

 About the leaves and flowers." 



KEATS. 



" And he who perpetually reads good books, if his parts 

 be answerable, will have a huge stock of knowledge." BP. 

 TAYLOR. 



" How delightful it is in early spring, after the dull and 

 tedious time of winter, when the frost disappears, and the 

 sunshine warms the earth and waters, to wander forth by 

 some clear stream, to see the leaf bursting from the purple 

 bud, to scent the odours of the bank perfumed with the 

 violet, and enamelled, as it were, with the primrose, and the 

 daisy. SIR H. DAVEY. 



" Pleasant it is to note all plants from the rush to the spread- 

 ing cedar, 



From the giant King of Palms, to the lichen that staineth 

 its stem." 



TUPPFR. 



" Perchance 'tis very childishness that weaves 

 Fancies with flowers, and borrows from their hues 

 A colour for my thoughts but if it be, 

 It is a weakness that will win a smile, 

 Nor tempt a frown from sage philosophy. 

 Or if he frown, in sooth, he's not the sage 

 Men take him for I would not give the love 



