A PREFACE OF MOTTOES. 



* *:'.:/ S'ADOPRA in sua salute, 

 II qual de 1'herbe, e de le nobil' acque 

 Ben conosceva ogni uso, ogni virtute." 



" Ger. Lib." c. xi, s. 70. 



* * "In every plant 

 There lives a spirit, more or less akin 

 Unto the spirit of humanity. 



Some heal diseases dire ; others wake 

 Strange whimsies in the busy brain of man." 



From the German of LUDWIG TIECK. 



" And God sent flowers to beautify 

 The earth, and cheer man's careful mood ; 

 And he is happiest who hath power 

 To gather wisdom from a flower, 

 And wake his heart in every hour, 

 To pleasant gratitude." 



MARY HOWITT. 



* " By the breath of flowers 



Thou callest us from city throngs and cares, 



Back to the woods, the birds, the mountain streams, 



That sing of Thee back to free childhood's heart, 



Fresh with the dews of tenderness." 



MRS. HEMANS. 



" Where does the wisdom, and the power divine 

 In a more bright and sweet reflection shine, 

 Where do we finer strokes and colours see 

 Of the Creator's real poetry, 



