1^0 ELMINA, A TALE. June I, 



This Lindorine explained to the princefs : (he was fenfi- 

 hle of her involuntary error, and was fo amiable during the 

 whole day, that before evening the flowers had refumed 

 their former luftre, and were even more beautiful than be- 

 fore. This little leffon rendered Elmina more attentive 

 and more difcrect, and made her perceive what pains and 

 attention were required to preferve the flower that never 

 fades. Elmina was fenfible and good ; to do good ihe only 

 had to conlult the natural emotions of her own heart ; but 

 the flower of celellial blue, flie found, required from her 

 ^more difficult exertions. She was naturally lively; and up- 

 on the lead fretfulnefs of temper or Impatience, the flower 

 of geutlenefs failed not to become tarnilhed, and to reproach 

 her with her faults. The princefs correcled thefe as well 

 as (he could, and was never happy till her flower refumed 

 its native luilre •, for /he was perfuaded, that it is mucli 

 lefs fliameful to repair a fault than to commit it, and far 

 lefs culpable to commit it, than to attempt to conceal it 

 without amending it. 



As to the white flower, I have heard that it always pre- 

 ferved its purity : It is true that Elmina perceived one day 

 a little mark upon it ; but a tear that flie dropped upon it, 

 effaced it immediately. I know not however, what lit- 

 tle weaknefs Elmina had been guilty of, becaufe every one 

 readily forgets a fault that has been' effaced by repentant 

 tears. 



The bud of the flower of genius continued always to in- 

 creafe ; whenever the princefs had been attentive to any 

 leiTon, and docile, flie failed not to examine it, and ufually 

 found it had pulhed forth fome new leaves. This flower 

 was the moil marvellous of the whole ; and it augmented 

 during the whole life of Elmina. Nothing could be more 

 varied than the form and colour of its leaves. Upon one 

 might be feen a beautiful landfcape, or rich embroidering j 

 upon another, reprefentations q.f hiftory or geography ; up- 

 on fome might be feen a golden lyre, or a harp of ivory ; in 

 fliort, one remarked upon thefe. all the emblems that ferve 

 to ■adorn the mind of a young lady. 



As to the flower oi gracefulntis, it flouriflied, as Verdu- 

 rine h^d faid, without being attended to. Elmina had even 

 eccafiou to remark, that if rtie endeavoured to haften its ex- 



