INTRODUCTORY PREFACE. 



peoples, the greater part of the sentiments and emblems 

 contained in this volume. In searching out the reason for 

 assigning certain sentiments to particular flowers, we have 

 generally found that time, instead of disproving their fitness, 

 has rather given force to the symbolical character of the 

 flower, and has confirmed the propriety of the application. 

 Little study is needed in the science here taught. 



The first rule in the Language of Flowers is, that a 

 flower, presented in an upright position, expresses a thought ; 

 and to express the opposite of that thought, it suffices to 

 let the flower hang down reversed. Thus, for example, a 

 Rose-bud, with its thorns and leaves, say.s, " I fear, but I 

 hope." If we present this same Rose-bud, reversed, it means 

 "You must neither fear nor hope." 



But there are divers modifications of a sentiment. It 

 is easy to make these modifications even by means of a 

 single flower. Take the Rose-bud, which has already served 

 for an example. Stripped of its thorns, it says, " There is 

 everything to hope for." Stripped of its leaves, it says, 

 "There is everything to fear." One may also vary the 

 expression of any flower, by altering its position. The 

 Marigold, for instance: placed upon the head, it signifies, 

 sorrows of the mind ; placed above the heart, it speaks of 

 the pangs of love ; resting upon the breast, it expresses 

 en7iui. It must also be remembered that the pronoun of 

 the first person is indicated by inclining the flower to the 



