REPORTS OF AUXILIARY SOCIETIES. 325 



He embodies the flowers with human virtues, and because of this, it is a 

 pleasure to him if among the many endearing names occur one of familiar 

 flowers, and unconsciously he models his little acts accordingly. Sometimes 

 these little remembrances influence the lives of children long after babyhood. 



A little child, in a happy mood, was chatting with an auntie, who, in a fanci- 

 ful way, told her something like this: " Once there was a little white rosebud, 

 and it grew in the bright, warm light, and opened its beautiful petals one by 

 one to the glorious sunshine, and lo, as it grew we beheld this dear little baby 

 girl of ours." 



The child listened in wide-eyed pleasure. She understood the figure, but 

 the fact that her own little life should be likened to the delicate, pure, 

 white rosebud, gave her a higher appreciation of what it might be like, 

 and many times guided to happier thoughts and action. The lesson must have 

 sunk deep into her young heart, for she only told of it years after, when nearly 

 grown, and then as one of the pleasant incidents of her babyhood. 



Similar and as beautiful incidents occur to the minds of many of you, as I 

 read this, of your own little children, or those with whom you have come in 

 contact. You do not treat them as nothing. They have been beautiful les- 

 sons in your own lives, as well as in those of the little ones. 



I have in my mind a picture. I was at one time waiting for a train in a 

 depot, where hundreds of people passed constantly. A little child, almost a 

 baby, was in my care, who wandered around with the freedom of childhood, 

 enjoying all things new and strange. Once, on looking up, I beheld her little 

 face radiant with pleasure, while two gentlemen, with faces eager as her own, 

 leaned forward, one intently listening to hear through the din of the depot, 

 the conversation curried on by the other vifch her. The confusion of the 

 incoming train and what followed, drove from my mind all thought of the 

 event till hours after, when I asked what the gentleman said to her. She 

 replied : 



He wanted to know if I were a pansy, a daisy or a violet. "And what did 

 you say ?" "Oh! I told him I was a violet." Her own delicate perception 

 led her to choose instantly as emblematic of her young life, the sweet, blue 

 eyed violet rather than the brighter, larger eyed pansy 7 , or the modest, white- 

 tipped daisy. 



Speaking of the daisy what child who has ever heard the story of the 

 beautiful queen Alcesta can look upon this little flower without appreciating 

 the spirit of sacrifice which inspired the noble queen, when she gave her own 

 life for that of her beloved husband. As a reward of her devotion the gods 

 caused her to be changed into a pure, white, golden-hearted daisy, and her 

 spirit frequents the abodes of men as a constant reminder of the reward offered 

 by the gods for the self-sacrifice of their earth children. 



Do you teach these lessons to your children ? Perhaps they were not taught 

 to you. Perhaps you have not learned them yourselves. Your other duties 

 have been so numerous that there has been no time for such lessons. Do you 

 forget that happiness for the little ones is the great aim ? When your body 

 is weary and your brain burdened, as is the case of so many, can the time 

 spent with ruffling and tucking and embroidering a garment that might be made 

 pretty and comfortable in one-third the time or less, add to the present and after 

 happiness of the child, that the same time spent in helping to prepare and keep a 

 bed of flowers in such a way that it will be to him a constant source of pleasure 

 and occupation, keeping the growing mind and body vigorous and healthful and 



