INTRODUCTION. 
29 
characters are renewed in each succeeding 
spring. 
Should a beautiful odalisk wish to avenge 
herself on a tyrant who has treated her with 
cruelty, she may, with a single floweret of the 
lily of the valley, thrown as by chance, inform 
a young icoglan, that the favourite sultana, 
weary of her tyrannous lord, wishes to inspire 
a sentiment of lively and pure affection. If 
he should return a rose it would be as though 
he had said that reason was opposed to her 
projects ; but a tulip, with a black heart, and 
flame-coloured petals, would assure her that 
her wishes were understood and partaken of. 
This is an ingenious mode of correspondence, 
which can never betray or divulge a secret. 
This eloquent language gives a charm to 
the sweet intercourse of friendship, and to 
filial and maternal love; it adds to the delight 
of youthful affections, and affords an excellent 
mode of recognition. The unfortunate may 
even find a faithful messenger in a flower. 
Rouchier, when in solitary confinement, con¬ 
soled himself in studying the flowers which 
