"Pity it is that we have no key to this mystic language of the East. Very few of their emblems have reached us. So far as they are known, they have been adopted in this collection. . . .  Very few of the emblems have been attached without reason. In general, they have been suggested either by some allusion to the specific flower in British poets, or by its botanical, or its popular name, or by some property peculiar to it, such as its hue, form, order, place and manner of growth, sensibility, medicinal virtue, or some other circumstances connected with its history or character."

"In arranging this little work, it was my purpose to combine, with the names and remembrances of flowers, a selection of sentiments from our best poets. I hoped my experiment would give an increased interest to botanical researches among young people, at least; and among all classes would promote a better acquaintance with the beauties of our own literature. . . .  May it inspire our Young Ladies to cultivate those virtues which can be truly represented by the fairest flowers; and our young men to cultivate their minds, till our land shall become beautified by the spirit of Taste, and our literature brilliant by the creations of Genius."

"The present work, is the result of an attempt to exhibit a list of the most interesting flowers, with striking passages from the ancient and modern poets referring to them, and also, some of the most curious rites and ceremonies for which they are, or have been, either the subjects or the signs. It was the idea of the writer, that such a work might be useful as a storehouse of poetical sentiment and imagery, and give a new, or stronger interest, to Floral pursuits; . . ."

"Happy the young and light-hearted maiden who ignorant of the silly pleasures of the world, feels no occupation to be more agreeable than the study of plants. She seeks in the field her most touching ornaments; each spring brings to her new joys: and every morning a fresh harvest of flowers repays her diligent cultivation; a garden is to her an inexhaustible source of delight and instruction."

"At the present period, when the studies of youth are arranged so as to blend information with amusement, when the accomplishments are considered merely as the relaxation of the mind, I have thought this volume on Flowers (which comprehends a botanical account of each specimen, the appropriate emblem, accompanied with instructions for copying the design) might afford a chaste recreation, and contribute to encourage a taste for Flowers . . ."