8 
INTRODUCTION. 
“We see them coming wearily into the towns and villages 
with their pin-a-fores full, and with posies half as large as 
themselves. We trace them in shady lanes, in the grass of 
far-off fields, by the treasures they have gathered and have left 
behind, lured on by others still greater. 
“ As they grow up to maturity, they assume, in their eyes, 
new characters and beauties. Then they are strewn around 
them, the poetry of the earth. They become invested, by a 
multitude of associations, with innumerable spells of power 
over the human heart; they are to us memorials of the joys, 
sorrows, hopes, and triumphs of our forefathers; they are, to 
all nations, the emblems of youth in its loveliness and purity.” 
Flowers to the Fair ! to you these flowers I bring, 
And strive to greet you with an earlier spring; 
Flowers sweet and gay, and delicate like you, 
Emblems of innocence and beauty too. 
With flowers the Graces bind their yellow hair, 
And flowery wreaths consenting lovers wear. 
Flowers, the sole luxury which Nature knew, 
In Eden’s pure and guiltless garden grew. 
Mrs. Barbauld. 
Let Fancy lead us, with her fair imaginings, and it shall 
be in pleasant paths, and through flowery ways ; 
Go, cull the golden fruits of truth; 
Go, gather fancy’s brilliant flowers ; 
and for a brief space let us wander in an earthly Eden. We 
will rove, hand in hand, with the ever-youthful goddess of 
flowers; and Zephvrus, her beloved, shall waft tributary hon¬ 
ours from every clime. We will twine fair garlands for many 
a youthful brow; “ we will not let a flower of the spring es¬ 
cape usbut “ crown ourselves with roses ere they be with¬ 
ered.” We may roam with Tasso through Syrian lands, 
