INTRODUCTION. 25 
derived from the ancients and especially from Eastern nations. 
In pursuing the research, it has been found that time, instead 
of rendering their sentiments less appropriate, has confirmed 
their fitness, and continually added new charms to the language. 
Little study is necessary in the science here taught; nature has 
been before us. It will suffice that two or three rules he given, 
which the reader will do well first to learn, and then by refer¬ 
ence to the work, which is systematically arranged for the pur¬ 
pose, he will be enabled to converse in the language of flowers. 
By the first rule, a flower presented inclining to the right, ex¬ 
presses a thought; reversed, it is understood to convey the 
contrary of that sentiment. For example:—A rosebud, with 
its thorns and leaves, is understood to say, “I fear, but I hope.” 
The same rosebud reversed, would signify that “You must 
neither fear nor hope.” You may convey your sentiments very 
well by a single flower. As the second rule, take the rosebud 
which has already served us for an example, and strip it of its 
thorns, it tells you that “ There is everything to hope.” Strip 
it of its leaves, it will express that “ There is everything to 
fear.” 
The expression of nearly all flowers may be varied by chan¬ 
ging their position. Thus, the marigold, for example: placed 
upon the head, it signifies “ distress of mind;” upon the heart, 
“the pains of love;” upon the breast, “ennui.” It is also 
necessary to know that the pronoun I is understood by incli¬ 
ning the flower to the right, and the pronoun thou by inclining 
it to the left. 
Such are the first principles of this mysterious language. 
Love and friendship ought to join their discoveries to render it 
more perfect: these sentiments, the most delightful in nature, 
are alone able to perfect what they have originated. 
c 
