*W 



XX PREFACE. 



, .{. * '$' ^'s *; .- Jjl * ''*".* ^-^-. ** i 



Among the existing lovers of flowers, it is a pleasure to 

 be able to name the gallant and accomplished young 

 prince, Alexander Mavrocordato, one of the chief leaders 

 of the Greeks in their present glorious struggle for 

 freedom. A botanical work, not long since published in 

 Italy, is dedicated to him on account of his known fond- 

 ness for the subject. Thus, in every respect, he inherits 

 the feelings of his ancestors. This is the same prince to 

 whom Mr. Shelley dedicated his Hellas. Among the 

 Greeks this taste was very general, as may be gathered 

 from many ancient writers. In the following passage from 

 the Travels of Anacharsis, several of these authorities are 

 assembled : the author describes a visit to a friend who 

 had retired to his country-house : 



" Apres avoir traverse une basse-cour peuplee de poules, de canards, 

 et d'autres oiseaux domestiques, nous visitames 1'ecurie, la bergerie, 

 ainsi que le jardin des fleurs, ou nous vimes successivement briller les 

 narcisses, les jacinthes, les anemones, les iris, les violettes de diffe- 

 rentes couleurs, les roses de diverses especes, et toutes sortes de plantes 

 odoriferantes. Vous ne serez pas surpris, me dit-il, du soin que je 

 prends de les cultiver: vous savez que nous en parons les temples, 

 les autels, les statues de nos dieux; que nous en couronnons nos 

 tetes dans nos repas et dans nos ceremonies saintes; que nous les 

 repandons sur nos tables et sur nos lits ; que nous avons meme 1'atten- 

 tion d'offrir a nos divinites les fleurs qui leur sont les plus agreables. 

 D'ailleurs un agriculteur ne doit point negliger les petits profits; 

 toutes les fois que j'envoie au marche d'Athenes, du bois, du charbon, 

 des denrees et des fruits, j'y joins quelques corbeilles de fleurs qui sont 

 enlevees a Tinstant *." 



" Having crossed a court-yard peopled with fowls, ducks, and other 

 domestic birds, we visited the stables, the sheep-fold, and the flower- 

 garden ; where we saw in succession narcissuses, hyacinths, anemonies, 

 irises, violets of different colours, roses of various kinds, and all sorts 

 of odoriferous plants. You will not be surprised, said he, at the care 

 I take in cultivating them ; for you know that we adorn with them 



* Voyage du Jeune Anacharsis en Grece, vers le milieu du qua- 

 trieme siecle avant 1'ere vulgaire; par J. J. Barthe'lemy. Tome cin- 

 quieme. 



