liANOUAQE OF FLOWERS. 10 
No spoken word can approach to the delicacy 
of sentiment to be inferred from a flower sea¬ 
sonably offered, the softest impression may thus 
be conveyed without offence, and even profound 
grief alleviated, at a moment when the most 
tuneful voice would grate harshly on the ear, 
and when the stricken soul can be soothed only 
by unbroken silence.” 
But let us recur to the words of this “ Pro¬ 
fessor of the gentle art,” and evidence their 
truth by a few examples showing the effect of 
‘^floral language” upon a mind stricken with 
grief. Listen to Philaster :— 
“I have a boy, 
'Sent by the gods, I hope, to this intent, 
Not yet seen in the court. Hunting the buck, 
I found him sitting by a fountain’s side, 
Of which he borrowed some to quench his thirst. 
And paid the nymph again as much in tears 
A garland lay him by, made by himself 
Of many several flowers, bred in the bay. 
Stuck in that mystic order, that the rareness 
Delighted me. But ever when he turned 
His tender eyes upon ’em, he would weep. 
As if he meant to make ’em grow again. 
Seeing such pretty helpless innocence 
