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ZTbe jfraarant Bote Booft 



And Confucius, the founder of a religion, the head of a dig- 

 nified and nearly permanent philosophy! Shades of ancient 

 China! \W i^>^f ■ 



Have you secrets to discuss? Allow me to remind you 

 that the rose has from time immemorial been recognised as ^ 

 the symbol of silence. Dean Swift, you will recollect, assures ' L 

 the Distressed Weavers that, sub-rosa, all is safe, and admits 

 that 



"Under the rose, since here are none but friends, 

 To own the truth, we have some private ends." 



Beauty and secrecy bound up together. What a com- 

 bination! Beauty and fragrance and love and discretion all 

 m one gift from nature. Whatever meaning may be ascribed 

 to roses white, to roses pink or yellow, we know that with 

 each of us as with Bums, "My love is like a red, red rose," 

 and all the whole world round the vehement blush of the 

 red rose kindles new hymns to Venus. Do not ask me why 

 nature should have decreed that certain chords be responsive 

 to designated colours. As easily tell how roses first came red, 

 why white the lily; and you will remember that while Herrick 

 sang of these things he never really did tell how. That was 

 left to the little girl in Wonderland. Do you remember the 

 visit Alice made to the Queen of Hearts and what she saw j 

 in the Croquet Grounds? | j 



A Large rose-tree stood near the entrance of the garden; 

 the roses growing on it were white, but there were three 



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