PREFACE. 7 
tluiy typified, till we shall have reached those abodes 
where reigns everlasting spring, and where decay is 
unknown. 
But little study will be requisite for the science 
which we teach. Nature has been before us. We 
must, however, premise two or three rules. When a 
flower is presented in its natural position, the senti- 
ment is to be understood affirmatively ; when re- 
versed, negatively. For instance, a rose-bud, with 
its leaves and thorns, indicates fear with hope ; but, 
if reversed, it must be construed as saying " you 
may neither fear nor hope." Again, divest the 
same rose-bud of its thorns, and it permits the most 
sanguine hope ; deprive it of its petals, and retain 
the thorns, and the worst fears may be entertained. 
The expression of every flower may be thus varied 
by varying its state or position. The Marigold is 
emblematical of pain ; place it on the head and it 
signifies trouble of mind ; on the heart, the pangs of 
love ; on the bosom, the disgusts of ennui. The 
pronoun /is expressed by inclining the symbol to 
the right, and the pronoun thou by inclining it to 
the left. 
These are a few of the rudiments of our signifi- 
cant language. We call upon Friendship and Love 
