The language of flowers The floral offering ; a token of affection and esteem ; comprising the language and poetry of flowers
Edition opening
Contents and reading sections
THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS.
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) 23
Cypress, (Mourning) 49
Dahlia, (Elegance and dignity) 154
Daisy, (Innocence) 39
Dandelion, (The rustic oracle) 132
Dead Leaves, (Death) 217
Dew Plant, (Serenade) 246
Dragon Plant, (You are near a snare) 229
Dyer’s Weed, (Relief) 166
Fennel, (Strength) 233
Fir, (Time) 238
Forget-me-not 116
Grass, (Submission) 236
Hawthorn, (Hope) 52
Hazel, (Peace, reconciliation) 204
Heliotrope, (Devoted affection) 106
Holly, (Foresight) 195
Hollyhock, (Ambition) 96
Hyacinth, (Constancy) 59
Ice Plant, (Frigidity) 25
Ivy, (Constancy) 193
Jasmine, (Amiability) 109
Juniper, (Protection) 203
Lady’s Slipper, (Capricious beauty) 160
Larkspur, (Flights of fancy) 164
Laurel, (Glory) 98
Lavender, (Distrust) 36
Lichen, (Solitude) 254
Lilac, (First emotions of love) 46
Lily, (Majesty) 67
Lily of the Valley, (Modesty) 58
Love-lies-bleeding, (Deserted love) 55
Marigold, (Grief) 72
Marvel of Peru, (Timidity) 143
Meadow Saffron, (My best days are past) 198
Mezereon, (Coquetry, desire to please) 13
Mignonette, (Your qualities surpass your charms) 108
Mistletoe, (I climb to greatness) 220
Moss, (Maternal love) 125
Moss Rose, (Confession of love) 69
Myrtle, (Love) 56
Narcissus and Daffodil, (Self-love) 65
Nasturtion, (Patriotism) 168
Nettles, (Cruelty) 86
Nightshade, or Bitter-sweet, (Truth) 170
Oak, (Nobility) 206
Oak Geranium, (Friendship) 150
Orchis, (A belle) 61
Pansy, (Think of me) 37
Passion Flower, (Faith) 89
Peony, (Anger) 85
Periwinkle, (Tender recollections) 43
Pimpernel, (The weather-glass) 133
Pine, (Pity) 248
Pink, (Pure love) 91
Poppy, (Consolation) 135
Primrose, (Early grief) 20
Red Rose, (Beauty and love) 77
Reed, (Single blessedness) 231
Rosemary, (Remembrance) 120
Sage, (Domestic virtues) 251
Scarlet Geranium, (Stupidity) 147
Sensitive Plant, (Chastity) 92
Snowdrop, (Hope) 15
Starwort, American, (Welcome) 202
St. John’s Wort, (Superstition) 181
Stock, (Lasting beauty) 145
Strawberry, (Perfection) 102
Sweet-Brier, or Eglantine, (Poetry) 45
Sweet-Flag--Acorus Calamus, (Grace) 172
Sunflower, (False riches) 104
Thorn-Apple, (Deceitful charms) 158
Thyme, (Activity) 94
Tuberose, (Dangerous love) 152
Tulip, (Declaration of love) 48
Valerian, (An accommodating disposition) 142
Vervain, (Enchantment) 184
Violet, (Modest worth) 31
Wall-Flower, (Fidelity in adversity) 51
White Water-Lily, (Purity) 70
White Rose, (I would be single) 74
Woodbine, or Honeysuckle, (Affection) 111
Wormwood, (Absence) 30
Yellow Rose, (Jealousy) 75
Yew, (Sorrow) 215
Death of the Flowers 257
Dictionary of Flowers 259
Calendar of Flowers 268
Dial of Flowers 293
The Floral Offering.
MEZEREON.... _Coquetry--Desire to please._
This shrub, clothed in its showy garb, appears amidst the snow, like an