82 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



thoughts of what they wish to fit them?elves for. Whatever it 

 may be, I would assist them in that direction. Anything that we 

 have an earnest desire to acquire, anything that our "hearts are 

 set on," as the saying is, we will be much more apt to make a suc- 

 cess of. Still I could hardly say with Lady Morgan (in her life 

 and times of Salvador Rosa, who so strongly objected to a father's 

 opposing his child's bias), she said, " I am at loss to account for 

 that blind resist ince which we see parents so often make to their 

 children's wishes. For my part if I had a son, and if he even de- 

 sired to become a highwayman, I should certainly not oppose him; 

 on the contraiy, I believe I should make him a present of a pair 

 of pistols, and a good horse to boot, and should only say, my dear 

 boy, I'm very unhappy at the choice you have made, but since 

 such is to be your vocation and the gallows your final destination, 

 in Heaven's name pursue it; only begin life like a gentleman, and 

 so giving him my blessing, I'd let him seek his fortune as he 

 pleased." I have a feeling that this dear woman never had a son, 

 else the mother love would never have let her use those words. 

 There are many who do not feel financially able to do all they 

 would wish to do for their children in the way of education. If 

 you have done all you are able to do you have done your duty. 

 It is a noticeable fact that those young men and women, who 

 after passing our common schools have to "pay their own way," 

 make the best of the knowledge they attain. It is a needful les- 

 son, learning the value of money, and the sooner learned the bet 

 ter. Many a time a father needs the assistance of his son with his 

 work; not feeling able to hire, he ought to have it. No right- 

 minded, loving parent will ask aught that will not ultimately re- 

 sult in the most good to the child. A generosity which makes the 

 recipient weak or selfish, is not a blessing, but a curse. Have you 

 ever seen grown up sons who snubbed their mother's opinions in 

 the same breath with which they called them to bring their slip- 

 pers? The meek little woman has "trotted around" to wait on 

 them so long, they have come to think that it is all she is good 

 for. And sisters who keep " ma" in the back ground because she 

 "hasn't a bit of style" and is " so uncultivated," forgetting that 

 she has worn shabby clothes that they might wear fine ones, that 



