"In the celestial spheres, flowers breathe music as well as
fragrance."
Allusion has been made to the use of flowers at the "choice" meetings,
as the medium through which the maiden indicates the gentleman on whom
her choice has fallen.
Flowers are very beautiful in Montalluyah. They are highly cultivated,
and great pains are bestowed upon them; their names are given to stars
and to women, so that often a lady will at once be associated with a
beautiful flower and a brilliant star.
Every flower has a well-known language of its own; many convey
comparatively long expressions of emotion, both pleasing and the
reverse, and the meaning of each may be qualified or increased by its
union with others. In the language of flowers all at an early age are
instructed. The meaning associated with each flower is universally
understood, its name at once conveying its language as distinctly as
though the whole of the sentence were spoken in so many words. Indeed
many interesting, and even long conversations are carried on between a
gentleman and lady through a floral medium.
A young lady, instead of entering into conversation or expressing her
sentiments in words, may present a flower either in the first instance
or by way of answer. A married lady receiving visitors has generally
fresh flowers at hand, which she often separates to present one to the
visitor.