TO HER MAJESTY QUEEN ALEXANDRA 
MOST GRACIOUS LADY, 
Herewith I lay at Your Majesty s feet a Book of Roses , wherein 
I have striven to set down , with such poor skill and diligence as has 
been vouchsafed to me , all that I have learned of that most Royal 
Family of the Kingdom of Flowers, For as there are many races and 
colours of men , so are there many hues and diversities of Roses; but 
whereas , by the imperfection of our nature , the beauty of men fails to 
reach that of the Divine Image , being indeed too often turned even to 
that which is vile , yet shall you never find a Rose that is not most 
lovely , szveet and perfect , full of that grace which comes only of 
purity , and abounding in that beauty which dwells only in God' s 
ozmi handiwork. 
A nd albeit such a task might appear too high for such an one as 
mine own self and albeit I might seem unworthily and presumptuously 
to vie with that Greek poetess of old, of whom it was said that “ she hath 
left little, but all Roses yet, being mightily encouraged thereto by Your 
Majesty s gracious countenance and protection, I have to the best of my 
power endeavoured to accomplish it. A nd forasmuch as mere zvords must 
needs fail to give just meed of praise to the beauty of Roses, I have been 
beholden to the skill oj a miming limner, who has striven so to portray 
each leaf and blossom that all may readily know and love the same . 
Wherefore , most Royal Lady, it remains only for me to dedicate, 
according to Your Majesty s gracious permission, my Roses to our own 
peerless Rose, my Queen of flowers to the Queen of our English hearts ; 
beseeching you herewith to accept the humble and dutiful devotion of 
Your Majesty s most faithful and obedient servant, 
ELLEN WILLMOTT. 
January , 1910 . 
