PREFACE. MOST of the prose portions of the following pages, have been adopted from an English work, entitled "The Sentiment of Flowers." The editor has made a few alterations and additions, in order to adapt it to American readers, and has illustrated the whole with poetical sentiments, original and selected As an apology may be deemed necessary for apparent egotism, in introducing so frequently her own effusions, among those of a far higher order, it seems proper to state, that, where an appropriate quotation did not immediately occur to memory, it appeared the shortest and easiest, if not the wisest way to compose, at the moment, a few lines or verses suitable to the flower and its sentiment. The chapter on botany will be found complete within itself, and according to the most approved systemthat of Linnæus. It will serve as an interesting introduction for those who have not had the advantage of the study in their education, and may recall to memory its principles where they have been learned and forgotten. The editor can pretend to no erudition on the subject. Only Fancy and Feeling have woven a wreath which may yield neither bloom nor sweetness, unless the sunshine of Indulgence, and the kindly dew of Sympathy, be suffered to play on its leaves F. S. PLATE I.-FRONTISPIECL ILLUSTRATION OF FRONTISPIECE. Rose.-Ivy.-Myrtle. To Beauty, Friendship, and Love OH! Beauty! bright rose of the world! Oh, Friendship! fair vine round a breaking heart curled, For you a rich garland we braid, Breathing sighs of pure incense above; It will bloom in the sun, it will smile in the shade, F. B. 0. I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds, and bowers, HERRICK. There's wit in every flower, if you can gather it. SHIRELEY. INTRODUCTION OF FLOWERS, SO much has been said and sung, that it were impossible to write any thing new. They have been called "the joy of the shrubs which bear them ;”. "the stars of the earth;" and the "alphabet of the angels" and, indeed, as says Mr. Howitt, "of all the minor creations of God, they seem to be most completely the effusions of his love of beauty, grace, and joy. Beauty and fragrance are poured abroad over the earth in blossoms of endless varieties, radiant evidences of the boundless benevolence of the Deity. They are made solely to gladden the heart of man, for a light to his eyes, for a living inspiration of grace to his spirit, for a perpetual admiration. And accordingly they seize on our affections the first moment that we behold them. With what eagerness do very infants grasp at flowers! As they become older, they would live for ever among them. They bound about in the flowery meadows like young fawns; they gather all they come near; they collect heaps; they sit among them and sort them, and sing over them and caress them, till they perish in their grasp. This sweet May morning The children are pulling On every side, In a thousand valleys far and wide, Fresh flowers. WORDSWORTH. |