

TO 



Mrs. HENRY PHILLIPS. 



The dedication of a work is the highest mark 

 of respect that an author has the power of 

 bestowing on an individual. He, therefore, 

 naturally turns towards those, where his 

 reverence, esteem, and affections are fixed. 



And as it is now about a quarter of a century, 

 since we have journeyed together over roads, 

 sometimes sprinkled with flowers, and often 

 strewed with thorns, the latter of which you 

 have so invariably passed with fortitude and 

 cheerfulness, as to set me an example of 

 patience and perseverance: Hence, I flatter 

 myself, you will receive with pleasure my 

 labours in the Sylva Florifera; as it will 

 prove my endeavours to dissipate the grief 



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