Poetry and Painting arising from the

Pleasures of Memory.

OF

Great Britain,

WHOSE Works have so eminently contributed to raise the fame of these kingdoms above the level of that of any other nation in modern times, the author most respectfully presumes to dedicate this collection of "Floral Emblems," as an humble acknowledgment of the great delight their performances have afforded him from the earliest period of his memory, to the time he has the honour of subscribing himself,

Their most devoted admirer,

And humble Servant,

Brighton, May 28, 1825.

HENRY PHILLIPS.

!

PREFACE.

IN forming this collection of Floral Emblems, the first care was to avoid perplexity, by creating new symbols, with such flowers as have been previously used in the hieroglyphics of the ancients or described in the verses of the poets.

Therefore, when the compiler found the same plant made to represent more than one design, he selected the emblem of the greatest antiquity, or the one most established by custom, and in some instances he has noticed their various interpretations.

Amongst the numerous species of plants which Europe has received from China, America, and New Holland, but few have hitherto found their way into the language of flowers, and some of these he has ventured to present, as emblematical of such characters or passions, as appeared most appropriate.

The numerical emblems, as well as those for the days of the week, and the months of the year, were devised by him in order to render the work more complete, so as to enable the emblematists to record dates by floral symbols.

As the invention of symbolical language appears to have originated in eastern nations, the author's endeavours have been to collect the emblems of those countries, through the aid of their poets, and the assistance of various travellers.

The most ancient works on heraldry have