Vlll 
PREFACE. 
“ The silent, soft, and humble heart 
In the violet’s hidden sweetness breathes j 
And the tender soul that cannot part, 
A twine of evergreen fondly wreathes. 
“ The cypress that daily shades the grave. 
Is sorrow that mourns her bitter lot; 
And faith, that a thousand ills can brave, 
Speaks in thy blue leaves—forget-me-not.” 
Biit the same flower is made to convey several senti¬ 
ments—according to the manner in which it is present¬ 
ed, and the state it is in when given. For example:— 
if a rosebud, or other flower with pricky or thorny 
stalks be presented with the thorns and leaves on, it 
expresses the sentiment of “I fear but I hope;" for 
the thorns imply fear, and the leaves hope : but divest 
the sprig of the thorns and leaves, and then it becomes 
a warning “neither to fear nor hope if the thorns 
only are cut off, you imply that “fear is to he banish¬ 
ed but if you leave the thorns, and take away the 
leaves, you warn the receiver that “there is every 
thing to fear.” 
Forthe purpose of making the Language of Flowers 
fully understood, it is necessary to lay down certain 
rules for the guidance of the learner ; and by attention 
to the following instructions, it will soon become a 
delightful occupation, and a perfect knowledge of the 
art will in a short time be gained. 
