INTRODUCTION. 
31 
The practice of divination by flowers is not 
altogether unconnected with the floral language 
which forms the principal subject of this little 
volume. It is customary in some countries to 
pluck off the leaves of the marygold or any 
flower of the aster kind, while certain words are 
repeated, in order to ascertain the character or 
inclination of the individual. Gothe has touched 
upon this superstition in his tragedy of Faust, 
in which Margaret plucks off the leaves of a 
flower, at the same time alternately repeating 
the words :—“ He loves me.”—“ He loves me 
not.” On coming to the last leaf she joyfully 
exclaims—“He loves me!” and Faust says. 
“ Let this flower pronounce the decree of Hea¬ 
ven !” 
This circumstance has been chosen by Retsch 
for the subject of one of his exquisite sketches 
for the illustration of Faust, to an engraving of 
which Miss Landon wrote a little poem entitled 
“ The Decision of the Flower,” containing these 
lines : 
And with scarlet poppies around, like a bower, 
The maiden found her mystic flower. 
“ Now, gentle flower, I pray thee tell 
If my lover loves me, and loves me well; 
