EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. PLATE I. FRONTISPIECE. CROWN IMPERIAL. TURK'S-CAP LILY. LILY OF THE VALLEY.-You have the power to restore me to happiness. PLATE II. Page 72. SCARLET IPOMOEA. LAURUSTINUS. CONVOLVULUS.-I attach myself to you, but shall die if neglected. PLATE III. Page 132. JASMINE. STRAWBERRY. TULIP.-Be not too early entangled in the charms of love, or yours will be a life of inquietude. PLATE IV. Page 192. ROSE. IVY. MYRTLE.-To Beauty, Friendship and Love. (5) THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. EARTH hath a thousand tongues, that swell We note them when the pliant reed Its low-toned music gently freed By the soft breezes there; And angels from their starry height, On hills, and dales, and green banks write. There is a language in each flower That opens to the eye, Doth in earth's blossoms lie; The flowering Almond, first to bring Among the green-clad trees, Whispers of Indiscretion's fate, Trusting too soon-convinced too late. The Wall Flower clinging cheerfully, Amid decaying bloom, Tells of the heart's fidelity, In stern misfortune's gloom; Closer in storms the bonds entwine, Hope smiles amid the blossoms white Seems sent our hearts to bless, Still whispering, on spring's balmy gale, Return of Happiness. While blooming on some favour'd spot, And quivering to the lightest wind Its spreading boughs between, A pang of misery keen; Like lightly utter'd careless words, For hearts too finely strung, The tempest wind shall round them blow, The storm's dread wing shall o'er them sweep, And bow them to the blast, While each must early learn, to weep The hopes that could not last: The bosom's sensibility, Is pictured in the Aspen tree. The little Blue Bell lifts its head The Amaryllis beside, Emblems, upon their grassy bed, Of Lowliness and Pride, Bright as the summer's bluest cloud, The sun, that gilds the floweret proud, Sweeter the Blue Bell's lowly mien, The variegated Columbine Hangs its bright head to earth, As half ashamed the sun should shine Upon its place of birth; |