The language of flowers : $b The floral offering ; a token of affection and esteem ; comprising the language and poetry of flowers

THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS.




[Illustration: ROSE, BLUE VIOLET, JASMINE MOSS ROSE, BUD.

    _Your beauty, modesty and amiability,_
    _Have drawn from me a confession of love._
]




                       The Language of Flowers.

                                  THE

                           FLORAL OFFERING:

                                   A

                    TOKEN OF AFFECTION AND ESTEEM;

                              COMPRISING

                  The Language and Poetry of Flowers.

         WITH COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS, FROM ORIGINAL DRAWINGS.


                         BY HENRIETTA DUMONT.


                             PHILADELPHIA:
                       H. C. PECK & THEO. BLISS.
                                 1851.

      Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851, by
                       H. C. PECK & THEO. BLISS,
in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of
                             Pennsylvania.

                   STEREOTYPED BY L. JOHNSON AND CO.
                             PHILADELPHIA.




Preface.


Why has the beneficent Creator scattered over the face of the earth such
a profusion of beautiful flowers--flowers by the thousand and million,
in every land--from the tiny snowdrop that gladdens the chill spring of
the north, to the gorgeous magnolia that flaunts in the sultry regions
of the tropics? Why is it that every landscape has its appropriate
flowers, every nation its national flowers, every rural home its home
flowers? Why do flowers enter and shed their perfume over every scene of
life, from the cradle to the grave? Why are flowers made to utter all
voices of joy and sorrow in all varying scenes, from the chaplet that
adorns the bride to the votive wreath that blooms over the tomb?

It is for no other reason than that flowers have in themselves a real
and natural significance. They have a positive relation to man, his
sentiments, passions, and feelings. They correspond to actual emotions.
They have their mission--a mission of love and mercy. They have their
language, and from the remotest ages this language has found its
interpreters.

In the East the language of flowers has been universally understood and
applied “time out of mind.” Its meaning finds a place in their poetry
and in all their literature, and it is familiarly known among the
people. In Europe it has existed and been recognised for long ages among
the people, although scarcely noticed by the literati until a
comparatively recent period. Shakspeare, however, whom nothing escaped
which was known to the people, exhibits his intimate acquaintance with
the language of flowers in his masterly delineation of the madness of
Ophelia.

Recent writers in all languages recognise the beauty and propriety of
this language to such an extent, that an acquaintance with it has now
become indispensable as a part of a polished education.

Our little volume is devoted to the explanation of this beautiful
language. We have made it as complete as our materials and limits would
permit. We present it to our readers in the humble hope that we shall
increase the means of elegant and innocent enjoyment by our “Floral
Offering.”




Contents.


                                                                    PAGE

Acacia, (Friendship)                                                 123

Acanthus, (The arts)                                                 140

Almond Blossom, (Indiscretion)                                        22

Aloe, (Grief)                                                         28

Althea, (Consumed by love)                                           162

Amaranth, (Immortality)                                              100

Anemone, (Forsaken)                                                  122

Ash Tree, (Grandeur)                                                 222

Box, (Stoicism)                                                       63

Broom, (Humility)                                                    179

Cactus, (Ardent love)                                                 26

Camellia Japonica, (Modest merit)                                    156

Chamomile, (Energy in adversity)                                     225

China Aster, (Variety)                                               200

Citron, (Estrangement)                                               227

Columbine, (Desertion)                                                87

Common Thistle, (Misanthropy)                                        243

Corn, (Riches)                                                       186

Cowslip, (Pensiveness)                                               113

Coxcomb, (Singularity)                                               235

Cranberry, (Cure for the heartache)                                  188

Crocus, (Youth)