FLORAL EMBLEMS. 81 



BOASTER. 



H Y D R A N G E A . Hydrangea Hortensis. 



" No more delays, vain boaster ! but begin ; 

 I prophesy beforehand I shall win : 

 I'll teach you how to brag another time." 



Dry den. 



This Chinese Guelder rose is presented as 

 the emblem of a boaster, because its magni- 

 ficent flowers are never succeeded by fruit, 

 thus resembling the vaunting words of a brag- 

 gadocio, which are not followed by suitable 

 results. 



" Who knows himself a braggart, 

 Let him fear this ; for it will come to pass, 

 That every braggart shall be found an ass." 



Shakspeare. 



U 



