IV 
INTRODUCTION. 
For the more complicated uses of this beautiful language, a few hints may 
be necessary to show how extensive 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 sentiment which it is ordinarily understood to express: 
again, a rosebud from which the thorns have been removed, but which has 
still its leaves, convejs the sentiment, “ I fear, but I hope,”—the thorns imply¬ 
ing 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 instance, and it signifies “ distress of mind on the bosom, 
“ listlessness.” And it may be added, when a flower is given, the pronoun / 
is understood by changing it to the right, thou by inclining it to the left. 
To the intelligent reader, these suggestions may suffice, and we shall there¬ 
fore 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 intelligible language, “ a welcome message to fair lady’s ear.” 
