the language op flowers. 13 
silence, and there is tenderness, and passion, 
and even the light-heartedness of mirth in 
the variegated beauty of their vocabulary. To 
the poetical mind, they are not mute to each 
other ; to the pious, they are not mute to their 
Creator No spoken word can approach 
to the delicacy of sentiment to be inferred 
from a flower seasonably oflered, the softest 
impression may thus be conveyed without of- 
fence, and even profound grief alleviated, at 
a moment when the most tuneful voice would 
grate harshly on the ear, and when the strick- 
en soul can be soothed only by unbroken 
silence.”* Thus writes, — 
A true professor of the gentle art, 
Deep read in that sweet lore, which well he 
teaches, 
A mystic language perfect in each part, 
Made up of bright-hued thoughts, and perfumed 
speeches ; 
A goodly book he hath, wherefrom to draw 
His texts and lessons ; on its living pages 
We gaze in wonder, not unmixed with awe, 
Reading the records of long-vanished ages : 
Bright are the characters, and fair the forms, 
And sweet the sounds before us, and around us ; 
* Language of flowers'. 
