The Language of Flowers

Part 1

THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS.

Your beauty, modesty and amiability, Have drawn from me a confession of love. ]

The Language of Flowers.

THE

FLORAL OFFERING:

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

Part 2

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

Part 3

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

Part 4

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

Part 5

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 imprudent and coquettish female, who, though shivering with cold, wears her spring attire in the depth of winter. The stalk of this shrub is covered with a dry bark, which gives it the appearance of dead wood. Nature, to hide this deformity, has encircled each of its sprays with a wreath of red flowers, terminating in a tuft of leaves. These flowers give out a peculiar and offensive smell.

You oftentimes can mark upon the street The gilded toy whom fashion idolizes; Heartless and fickle, swelled with self-conceit, Avoiding alway what good sense advises. Who flutters like the butterfly while burns his sun, Nor afterwards is missed when life is done.

W. H. C.

* * * * *

Clouds turn with every wind about; They keep us in suspense and doubt; Yet oft perverse, like woman-kind, Are seen to scud against the wind. Is not this lady just the same? For who can tell what is her aim?

Swift.

* * * * *

Part 6

Thou delightest the cold world’s gaze, When crowned with the flower and the gem, But thy lover’s smile should be dearer praise Than the incense thou prizest from them. And gay is the playful tone, As to the flattering voice thou respondest; But what is the praise of the cold and unknown To the tender blame of the fondest?

John Everett.

* * * * *

Know, Celia, (since thou art so proud,) ’Twas I that gave thee thy renown: Thou hadst, in the forgotten crowd Of common beauties, lived unknown, Had not my verse exhaled thy name, And with it impt the wings of Fame. That killing power is none of thine, I gave it to thy voice and eyes: Thy sweets, thy graces, all are mine; Thou art my star, shin’st in my skies! Then dart not from thy borrowed sphere Lightning on him that fixed thee there.

Thomas Carew.

SNOWDROP. ... Hope.

The Snowdrop is looked upon as the herald of the approach of flower-wreathed Spring. The north winds howl; the naked branches of the trees are white with frost; the earth is carpeted with the virgin snow; the feathered musicians are silent; and stern Winter’s icy hand chills the rivulet till it ceases to murmur. At this season, a tender flower springs up amid the snow, expands its blossoms, and leads thought to the verdant hours to come. This beautiful sign of awakening Nature may aptly be considered as the emblem of Hope.

* * * * *

The Snowdrop, winter’s timid child, Awakes to life bedewed with tears, And flings around its fragrance mild; And, where no rival flowerets bloom, Amidst the bare and chilling gloom A beauteous gem appears. All weak and wan, with head inclined, Its parent breast the drifted snow, It trembles, while the ruthless wind Bends its slim form; the tempest lowers, Its emerald eye drops crystal showers On its cold bed below. Where’er I find thee, gentle flower, Thou still art sweet and dear to me; For I have known the cheerless hour, Have seen the sunbeams cold and pale, Have felt the chilling wintry gale, And wept and shrunk, like thee!

Mary Robinson.

* * * * *

No one is so accursed by fate, No one so utterly desolate, But some heart, though unknown, Responds unto his own; Responds, as if with unseen wings An angel touched its quivering strings, And whispers in its song, “Where hast thou stayed so long?”

Longfellow.

* * * * *

The star of Hope will beam in Sorrow’s night, And smile the phantoms of Despair to flight.

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