Our correspondent, Mr. Van Aken, of Elmira, has hit on a very pretty idea by which the language of flowers may be given effective value in connection with the photographs of our friends. They can be so arranged that any particular flower desirable may appear garlanded about the picture, which may thus be made to enter into any association that we please.

Taking these sweet peas for example, one is reminded of the touching poem of Mrs. Howitt. The sorrowing mother will not be comforted for the loss of her dear one. The little brother of the loved and the lost tries his hand at cheering her. Only come and see the sweet peas now in bloom that Amy planted !

"Little Amy" and the Sweet Peas.

"Put by thy work, dear mother, Dear mother come with me, For I've found within the garden, The beautiful sweet pea !

And bending on their stalks, mother,

Are roses white and red; And pale-stemm'd balsams all a-blow,

On every garden-bed.

Put by thy work, I pray thee,

And come out, mother, dear ! We used to buy these flowers,

But they are growing here !

Oh, mother! little Amy

Would have loved these flowers to see; Dost remember how we tried to get

For her a pink sweet pea?

Dost remember bow she loved

Those rose leaves pale and sere? I wish she had but lived to see

The lovely roses here !

Put by thy work, dear mother, And wipe those tears away ! And come into the garden

Before 'tis set of day :"

It was a tender appeal. And we have endeavored to second it by placing a portrait of "little Amy," as we imagine she may have looked, in the midst of a garland of the flowers which she planted. Even the most sorrow-stricken mother could scarce shut her heart against some gleam of pleasure at an association such as this.