PREFACE. 



LIGHT words are at times more serviceable than learned 

 lines, and persuasions are often more effective ' than 

 arguments. This is especially the case in respect of 

 subjects that are adapted for universal enjoyment, and 

 that appeal to feeling first and afterwards arouse 

 curiosity and set the mind to work. Garden flowers 

 give more delight, perhaps, to those who study their 

 history and cultivation and uses, than to such as 

 admire them but in a casual way, and who may be 

 said to smile and pass on. But in either case the 

 gratification, which is one of sentiment in the first 

 instance, becomes an intellectual exercise, and may be 

 aided by one given to gossiping, and with a little 

 knowledge to flavour his words. It is with some such 

 purpose the following papers have been penned to ac-^ 

 company a series of pictures adapted to awaken and 



sustain an interest in " familiar garden flowers." 



S. H. 



