THE SIX OF SPADES. 51 



With regard to flowers, let children be taught from 

 the very first to admire, to love, and to cherish them, 

 not to regard them as temptations to mischief, and 

 to connect them only "with uneasy recollections of 

 punishment. When Master Johnny decapitates his 

 first tulip, or brings in his first hyacinth, roots and 

 all, from the borders, don't treat him as an abandoned 

 ruffian, and make him frightened at flowers for life ; 

 but show him with a calm and gentle tenderness the 

 perfect beauty which his hands have spoiled, and tell 

 him reverently whose work he has undone. Let him 

 draw near and gaze, where he may not gather ; point 

 out to him the symmetry, the tints, the perfume ; 

 remember that there are organs of Benevolence and 

 Veneration, of Form, Order, and Colour, in the 

 cerebral development of that curly pate, as well as of 

 a Covetous and Destructive tendency ; appeal to his 

 higher, holier self, converse with the Christian that is 

 in him ; ignore what is evil (for he will understand 

 your tacit abhorrence) until there is stern need of 

 open censure ; trust, instead of suspecting ; talk to 

 him of prizes, instead of prisons, patting his back with 

 your open hand, instead of shaking your fist at him ; 

 and, as surely as Love and Truthfulness are better 

 and stronger than Deceit and Hate, you shall find in 

 that little heart such a sympathy with all things 

 pure and beautiful, as shall bow your head in shame. 



With regard to fruit, I should be inclined, I think, 

 to deal with little children as confectioners and 

 grocers are said to deal with their newly-entered 

 apprentices, and to give them a free range. I should, 

 simultaneously, forewarn them thus : " Ladies and 



