SENTIMENT OP EEOWERS. 11 
hand-book we have ascribed to the flow¬ 
ers, are chiefly derived from the ancients, 
though some are of a more modern adap¬ 
tation. The ancients in assigning a flower 
as an emblem of some quality, did so 
either from its connection with some 
mythological, warlike, or historical event, 
or from the circumstance of the predomi¬ 
nating quality of the plant being similar 
to that which it was intended to repre¬ 
sent. In the research we were compelled 
to make, in preparing for publication 
“ The Sentiment of Flowers,”* we found 
that time, instead of rendering their sen¬ 
timents less appropriate, had confirmed 
their fitness, and continually added new 
charms to the language. 
Little study is necessary to become a 
* In most cases, this book gives the reason why n 
flower is made emblematical of the quality it repre¬ 
sents. 
'PCs? 
