FORTUNA FLORA.

"A thousand flowers- each seeming one
That learned, by gazing on the sun,
To counterfeit his shining

Within whose leaves the holy dew,
That falls from heaven, hath won anew
A glory in declining;

Love's language may be talked with these!
To work out choicest sentences,

No blossoms can be meeter;

And such, being used in Eastern bowers,
Young maids may wonder if the flowers
Or meanings be the sweeter."

Elizabeth B. Barrett.

EVERY new and innocent amusement is a contribution to the stock of the world's happiness. And we consider it no trifling matter to have prepared a mystical charm of flowers for the young, where, like bees, they may gather honey while hovering over and enjoying the beauty of these sweet gifts of nature.

The selections are from the best writers, and we commend the practice of reading the particular authors whose productions are mingled in the web of each particular destiny.

When you

The manner of proceeding is this: wish to ascertain the particular flowers that best designate your condition, character, and probable success

in life, look for the month in which you were born, (say it is January 6th, then the Olive would represent it;) against the day of the month is your natal flower. Then ascertain to which of the temperaments your constitution is the nearest assimilated; if it be the Lymphatic, you take the 1st flower of the same month, (January); if Sanguine, the 8th flower; if Bilious, the 16th; if Nervous, the 24th; this is your temperament flower, or leaf; say your temperament was Sanguine, you then have the Holly.

Then the flower which governs the month is called your flower of destiny; this for January is the Almond. Look out the sentiment conveyed by each of these flowers, reading them backwards, thus: Almond, hope; Holly, domestic happiness; Olive, peace. You have thus the solution, which is for you to make true.

Heaven gives us opportunities; their improvement or neglect is our own work.

When you send a Bouquet, it is only necessary to write on the slip of paper accompanying it the day of the week, and the word " Friendship,"

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or Love,"

or "Vicissitude." The person receiving the Bouquet can refer to the "Sentiments for the Week," and solve the meaning.

But a wider scope of reply may be desired, and for this purpose the "Sentiments for the Months" are prepared. Say that a young lady received a flower on Saturday, (7th day of the week,) July 31st. She must add these two sums together, making 38. Then to these add the number of her own temperament, say Nervous,-4, making 42. Look now for number 42 in the "Sentiments for the

Months." She will then find the meaning conveyed by the flower. In this manner presents of flowers on any day of the month and week may be construed into language.

In the same way a gentleman could learn the meaning attached to the flower sent him.

The temperaments require a little explanation. We have given the signs by which their difference is recognized. Very few persons have a perfectly decided temperament; but it can usually be known which is the predominating influence.

TEMPERAMENTS.

The different temperaments are indicated by external signs open to observation.

1. THE LYMPHATIC. This is distinguishable by a round form of the body, softness of the muscles, and usually a pale or bloodless complexion. The hair is straight, and usually fair. The brain, as a part of the system, is slow and languid in action, and a state of repose is the heaven of the soul.

2. SANGUINE. This temperament is indicated by a well-defined form, and a fair, ruddy countenance. The eyes are usually blue and sparkling, and the hair chestnut, often inclining to curl. The countenance is animated, and a love of exercise, gayety, and excitement prevails. The heart seems always warm with hope.

3. BILIOUS. This temperament is recognized by black hair, dark skin, moderate fulness and much firmness of flesh, with harsh and irregular outline of person.

The eyes are black or dark brown, countenance usually shows strongly marked and decided features. Energy and ambition are predominating characteristics of this temperament.

4. NERVOUS. This temperament is known by fine, thin hair; thin skin; small thin muscles; quickness in muscular movement; gray or dark blue eyes; pale or fair skin; and often delicate health. The whole nervous system, including the brain, is predominantly active. Intellectual excellence is the favorite aim of the

young who inherit this active temperament.

Such are the true conditions of each temperament. Few persons, however, are really of an unmixed cast. The Lymphatic usually has a dash of one (often two) of the other temperaments. And so of the others; each combines, more or less, with its neighbor. Hence those who are of a mixed type must refer to the day of the week on which they were born for their temperament flower. A person in whom the Lymphatic type prevails, has a dash of the sanguine and was born in the month of January, on Friday, the sixth day of the week; then the sixth flower of the month the olive

- will be his or her temperament flower. If the Sanguine type governed the same person, the sixth flower of the second (or Sanguine) week-the hyacinthwould govern; and so on.

The "sentiments" selected for the " temperaments are intended to serve as warnings or encouragements, according to the tenor of life pursued. These apophthegms may also be taken as mottoes to designate the characteristics of persons of each temperament.