198 FLORA'S LEXICON. 



WEET WILLIAM. Dianthus Barbatus. 

 Class 10, Decandria. Order: Digynia. 

 This is a species of pink, a native of Ger- 

 many. It is much cultivated in our rural 

 gardens, and on account of the brilliancy of 

 its flowers and its agreeable fragrance is de- 

 servedly a great favourite with children. 



The firmness and solidity of its buncjies of flowers make it a 



safe plaything for them. 



CHILDHOOD. 



Sporting through the forest wide; 

 Playing by the water-side: 

 Wandering o'er the heathy fells; 

 Down within the woodland dells; 

 All among the mountains wild, 

 Dwelleth many a little child! 

 In the baron's hall of pride ; 

 By the poor man's dull fireside: 

 'Mid the mighty, 'mid the mean, 

 Little children may be seen, 

 Like the flowers that spring up fair, . 

 Bright and countless, everywhere! 



In the far isles of the main ; 

 In the desert's lone domain; 

 In the savage mountain glen, 

 'Mong the tribes of swarthy men ; 

 Wheresoe'er a foot hath gone: 

 Wheresoe'er the sun hath shone 

 On a league of peopled ground, 

 Little children may be found! 



Blessings on them ! they in me 



Move a kindly sympathy, 



With their wishes, hopes, and fears; 



With their laughter and their tears; 



With their wonder so intense, 



And their small experience! Howitt. 



