INTRODUCTION. 
27 
over her beautiful form. “ The beauty and 
grace that may be displayed in grouping 
flowers, united with the gaiety of their co¬ 
lours, and the harmony of their tints, are 
objects well worthy the attention of those 
who were born to render life delightful.” 
Nothing is forgotten in depicting them; and 
when we look upon the faithful representa¬ 
tive, even in the depths of winter, we may 
fancy that we inhale the perfumes of spring. 
This study, in imparting a taste for all that 
is beautiful in nature, fills the soul with ra¬ 
vishing emotions, and opens before us the 
enchanted avenues of a world full of won¬ 
ders. “ Flowers,” says Pliny, “ are the joy 
of the shrubs which bear them.” This emi¬ 
nent observer of nature might also have 
added, “ and of those who love them and 
cultivate them.” 
The interpreters of our sweetest senti¬ 
ments, flowers lend their charms even to love 
— to that pure and chaste affection, which, as 
Plato observes, is an inspiration from the 
gods. The expression of this divine passion 
ought to be divine also, and it was to illus- 
