VI 
INTRODUCTION. 
For the more complicated uses of this beautiful lan¬ 
guage, a few hints may be necessary to shew how ex¬ 
tensive is the range of thought its alphabet may 
communicate. For example, if a flower be given 
reversed, it implies the opposite of that thought or senti¬ 
ment which it is ordinarily understood to express ; 
again, a rosebud, from which the thorns have been 
removed, but which has still its leaves, conveys the 
sentiment, “ I fear, but I hope,”—the thorns implying 
fear, as the leaves hope; remove the leaves and thorns, 
and then it signifies that “ there may be neither hope 
nor fear while, again, a single flower may be made 
emblematical of a variety of ideas ; a rosebud that has 
been already used and deprived of its thorns, says, 
“ There is much to hope,” but stript of its leaves also, 
it tells “ There is every thing to fear.” The expression 
also of almost any flower may be varied by changing its 
position. Place the marigold upon the head, for in¬ 
stance, and it signifies “ distress of mind”—on the heart, 
“ the pangs of love”—on the bosom, “ listlessness.” 
And, it may be added, when a flower is given, the pro¬ 
noun I is understood by changing it to the right, thou 
by inclining it to the left. 
To the intelligent reader, these suggestions may suf¬ 
fice, and we shall therefore conclude our introduction, 
with the hope, that under the guidance of this little 
volume, many a bright nosegay may exchange hands, 
and tell in its fitting and intelligent language, “ a wel¬ 
come message to fair lady’s ear.” 
Castle Bams , July 1845. 
