“The meed of mighty conquerors and poets sage.”

The ivy wreathes the brows of criticism.  The fresh vine-leaf cools the hot forehead of the bacchanal.  Bergamot and jessamine imply the fragrance of friendship.

The Olive is the emblem of peace—­the Laurel, of glory—­the Rue, of grace or purification (Ophelia’s Herb of Grace O’Sundays)—­the Primrose, of the spring of human life—­the Bud of the White Rose, of Girl-hood,—­the full blossom of the Red Rose, of consummate beauty—­the Daisy, of innocence,—­the Butter-cup, of gold—­the Houstania, of content—­the Heliotrope, of devotion in love—­the Cross of Jerusalem, of devotion in religion—­the Forget-me-not, of fidelity—­the Myrrh, of gladness—­the Yew, of sorrow—­the Michaelmas Daisy, of cheerfulness in age—­the Chinese Chrysanthemum, of cheerfulness in adversity—­the Yellow Carnation, of disdain—­the Sweet Violet, of modesty—­the white Chrysanthemum, of truth—­the Sweet Sultan, of felicity—­the Sensitive Plant, of maiden shyness—­the Yellow Day Lily, of coquetry—­the Snapdragon, of presumption—­the Broom, of humility—­the Amaryllis, of pride—­the Grass, of submission—­the Fuschia, of taste—­the Verbena, of sensibility—­the Nasturtium, of splendour—­the Heath, of solitude—­the Blue Periwinkle, of early friendship—­the Honey-suckle, of the bond of love—­the Trumpet Flower, of fame—­the Amaranth, of immortality—­the Adonis, of sorrowful remembrance,—­and the Poppy, of oblivion.

The Witch-hazel indicates a spell,—­the Cape Jasmine says I’m too happy—­the Laurestine, I die if I am neglected—­the American Cowslip, You are a divinity—­the Volkamenica Japonica, May you be happy—­the Rose-colored Chrysanthemum, I love,—­and the Venus’ Car, Fly with me.

For the following illustrations of the language of flowers I am indebted to a useful and well conducted little periodical published in London and entitled the Family Friend;—­the work is a great favorite with the fair sex.

“Of the floral grammar, the first rule to be observed is, that the pronoun I or me is expressed by inclining the symbol flower to the left, and the pronoun thou or thee by inclining it to the right.  When, however, it is not a real flower offered, but a representation upon paper, these positions must be reversed, so that the symbol leans to the heart of the person whom it is to signify.

The second rule is, that the opposite of a particular sentiment expressed by a flower presented upright is denoted when the symbol is reversed; thus a rose-bud sent upright, with its thorns and leaves, means, “I fear, but I hope.”  If the bud is returned upside down, it means, “You must neither hope nor fear.”  Should the thorns, however, be stripped off, the signification is, “There is everything to hope;” but if stript of its leaves, “There is everything to fear.”