It is probable that a distinct language, was first given to flowers by the 

 women of the East, arising doubtless from their strict seclusion and ignorance 

 of writing, combined with a vivid imagination which habitually personifies 

 every object. It is true that by these flowers they can convey only general 

 ideas, such as " I love thee dearly ;" " Thy coldness grieves me ;" « Tsym- 

 pathise in thy distress ;" &c., but their dull unwearied round of life leaves but 

 little else to impart. 



The Bouquet which is used as an epistle is called Selam. 



This language is also local and arbitrary, so that a Bouquet which would 

 be readily interpreted by a Persian maiden, would be unintelligible to a Turk- 

 ish female. A celebrated traveller thus describes the manner in which a 

 Turkish lady of fashion is wooed by an invisible lover. " In the progress of 

 the courtship, a Hyacinth is occasionally dropped in her path by an unknown 

 hand, and the female attendant at the bath does the office of a Mercury, and 

 talks of a certain effendi seeking a lady's love, as a Nightingale aspiring to the 

 affections of a Rose." 



All nations and ages have regarded these beauties of nature with pleasure 

 and reverence ; the Romans and Greeks acknowledged a goddess who pre- 

 sided over flowers and blossoms, whose festivals were Celebrated with pomp 

 and rejoicings. In more modern days, flowers have been cultivated from a 

 love of the beautiful and a taste for refinement, while at the same time, a 

 vocabulary has been established which ascribes to each class, a sentiment or a 

 moral. The Dahlia denotes elegance and dignity ; the Daisy, beauty and 

 innocence ; the Haiothorn, hope ; the White Lily, purity ; the Lily of the 

 Valley, the heart withering in secret ; Malloios, a sweet disposition ; the 

 Nightshade, dark thoughts ; Orange Flowers, woman's worth ; the Peony, 

 ostentation ; a Rose Bud, a confession of love ; the Tulip, beautiful eyes ; the 

 Violet, faithfulness ; the Water Lily, eloquence ; and so to each flower is 

 allotted a distinct signification. 



The mind instinctively associates some meaning according to the appeal - 

 ance or fragrance of the flower, forming a natural, but impressive language, 

 which speaks to the heart rather than to the ear. Can any thing more touch- 

 mgly convey the idea of purity, than the beautiful White Lily ? Look into 

 its snow-white cavity ! inhale its delicious fragrance, and nothing but the 

 sweetest, holiest emotions will be awakened. 



" Ask me not why I should love her ; 

 Look upon these soul-iull eyes ! 



