The Blue Violet 



Adexa K. Burt 

 Lake George, X. Y. 



"Here she is again, the dear, 

 Sweetest vestal of the year, 

 In her little purple hood, 

 Brightening the lonesome wood. 



We who something worn with care, 

 Take the road, find unaware 

 Joy that heartens, hope that thrills." 

 — Margaret Songster. 



All through the ages our ancestors have rejoiced at the appear- 

 ance of this little blue hooded dainty, and who of us now has 

 not had his heart gladdened at some time or another by a glimpse 

 of some fresh green nook in early May where — 



"purple violets lurk, 

 With all the lovely children of the shade?" 



"Ion" is the Greek name for the violet and is reputed to have 

 been bestowed on it because, when Jupiter had metamorphosed 

 Io into a white heifer, he caused sweet violets to spring from the 

 earth in order to present her with herbage worthy of her. 



Some etymologists trace the Greek name Ion to la, the daughter 

 of Midas, who was betrothed to Atys and transformed by Diana 

 into a violet to conceal her from Phoebus. Along with other 

 flowers the violet was assigned by the ancients to Venus. It is 

 said that Proserpine was gathering violets as well as narcissus 

 when she was seized by Pluto. The Athenians more especially 

 affected the violet; everywhere throughout the city of Athens 

 they set up engraven tablets with the name and preferred for 

 themselves above all other names that of "Athens crowned with 

 Violets." 



The blue violet has been and surely is the best-beloved as well 

 as the best known of our early wild flowers, and it seems as if no 

 other flower were so suggestive of the dawning year, so associated 

 with the days when life is full of promise. Its message is always 

 the same, "Spring is here" and our winter worries and regrets 

 become like May violets which bud and blossom like the rest. 



199 



