Nothing appeals to the emotions with more eloquence than the speechless flowers. Their very silence arouses within the human breast the most tender, the most ennobling sentiments. They are treasured long after their beauty has deserted them ; for their faded perfume breathes of a medley of recollections dear to the heart. They are appropriate at all times and for all persons, of all ages, and of all stations in life.

When flora is at its height, it is, of course, preferrable to use fresh flowers. In the midst of this splendid abundance think of the mantle of glistening white that will, ere many months, destroy and conceal all, and prepare for the flowerless inevitable! There are many kinds of flowers that may be perfectly pressed between layers of cotton, under a heavy book or books. The cotton absorbs all moisture and excludes the air, whereby the brilliant hues are retained. Even the delicate sweet-pea, treated in this manner, retains its splendor. Neither does the dainty forget-me-not then lose its dear, true blue. The daisy, lilac, bleeding-heart, even the rose - when not full blown - look very beautiful and natural when pressed in this way. Then there are flowers that, if picked before being fully developed, may be preserved by simply drying slowly in a dark, dry place. Such are the lily of the valley, golden-rod, bittersweet, hops and grain. All should have long stems, and are best plucked about mid-day, when they have least moisture.

After being placed between the cotton, do not disturb them until certain that they are dry, after which carefully put them in a box between tissue paper.

Now, as to the use of pressed flowers in making souvenirs. With a narrow ribbon, tie a dainty bunch of flowers to the corners of a card, across the face of which is written its signification, as in the illustration. On the back of the card write some poetic description of the flower. The writing should be neatly done in black India ink, or if the maker be endowed with artistic skill, with metallic paints. Plain, beveled-edge regret cards answer nicely for this purpose. If a great number are to be made, it is best to have the printer cut a full sheet.

When fresh flowers are obtainable, it is a charming fancy to slip them into an envelope. The stems being wrapped in moist cotton and tin foil, their freshness is easily retained if arranged during the afternoon. In such a design, the signification of the flower is written across the envelope; a verse on a tiny sheet of paper tucked into the corner, to which it may be tied with a "lover's knot." (See cut).

The following are verses descriptive of some of the most common flowers, and of what they are symbolic:

Red rose - "Love".

Moss rose - "Confession of Love.".

White rosebud - "Girlhood".

"Just like love is the Rose: Heavenly fragrance round it throws, Yet tears its dewy leaves disclose, And in the midst of briers it blows , Just like love".

Grass is found beneath summer skies and winter snows. To see a graceful bunch of it tied with a green ribbon is indeed refreshing.

In grass we read - "Submission ; Utility".

" Here I come creeping everywhere; By the dusty roadside, On the sunny hillside. Close by the noisy brook, In every shady nook, I come creeping, creeping everywhere".

A Card Souvenir.

" You cannot see me coming, Nor bear my low, sweet humming; For in the starry night. And the glad morning light, I come quietly creeping everywhere".

In spite of all that may be said to the contrary, human nature has a weakness for lucky four-leaved clovers.

Glue a bunch of three or five to the card, and write the words: "Health, Happiness, Prosperity." Or this:

"When sitting in the grass we see A little four-leaved clover, 'Tis luck for you and luck for me. Or luck for any lover".

It is symbolic of " Good Fortune".

Pressed sweet peas, tied across a large card, are especially beautiful. Strange as it may seem, very few poets have sung its praises. The sweet pea expresses "Delicate Pleasures".

Those general favorites, the pansy and the violet, have been a source of inspiration for numberless effusions. In the face of the heart's ease, or pansy, we read, " Think of Me;" "Thoughts".

The violet is emblematic of "Modesty." As Burns says, "The violet is for modesty." However, Shakespeare says .

"Violet is for faithfulness. Which in me shall abide; Hoping likewise that from your heart You will not let it slide".

A wealth of poetry celebrates the simple daisy. "Those white investments figure innocence".

"Bright flower! whose home is everywhere, Bold in maternal Nature's care, And all the long years through the heir

Of joy or sorrow; Methinks that there abides in thee Some concord with humanity, Given to no other flower 1 see The forest through!"

The forget-me-not, the flower of " friendship - kind as love, and strong as Hercules" - expresses its own sentiment.

The lily of the valley speaks of "the return of happiness".

" Be thy advent the emblem of all I would crave".

" No flower amid the garden fairer grows Than the sweet lily of the lowly vale, The queen of flowers".

Oats are symbolic of " Music," the charm and power of which Pope sets forth .

" Music, the fiercest griels can charm. And fate's severest rage disarm ; Music can soften pain to ease, And make despair and madness please: Our joys below it can improve, And antedate the bliss above".

Bittersweet is typical of " Truth".

"So every sweet with sorrow is tempered still, That maketh it he coveted the more: For easie things that may be got at will,

Most sorts of men doe set but little store. Why then should I account of little pain, That endless pleasure shall unto me gain ?"

The gleaming Golden Rod represents "Precaution".

"Love, wounded daily till it dies, The heart bereft that idly sighs, The loneliness, the sense otiose,! Of treasures ruined, the human cross That every living soul must bear. What wonder that it teems so fair Beside man's weary world of sin, Thy world, that no sin enters in - O Kingdom of the Clovery sod ! O peaceful realm of Golden-rod !

Poetry served as a "first course," is a sort of an "aesthetic salad," which is highly relished by all. It offers to each one a suggestive theme for bright conversation, at that critical juncture when, alas, so frequently, conversational powers desert us and consequently exchange of thought and words are stiff and awkward.

An Envelope Souvenir.

Should flowers, of any kind, be out. of the question, substitute poetry descriptive of the season in which the entertainment is given. Or, per contra, make summer's heat seem less oppressive by pen pictures of the cold, dazzling splendor of winter ; and let chill winter appear less desolate, with glowing pictures of a "A Rare Day in June," "Springtime, the only Happy Ringtime," etc. It is a capital plan to have a little scrap book for collecting pretty verses of sentiment and poems on the various seasons, sunset, dewy mornings, moonlight, etc.

Anna Hinrichs.