88 LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
PRIVET. 
PROHIBITION. 
" War," said the young mother of a family one 
day to the venerable village pastor, " why did you 
not plant a strong quickset hedge round your gar- 
den, instead of this weak hedge of flowering privet V 
The benevolent minister replied : — " When you for- 
bid your child a hurtful pleasure, the prohibition is 
sweetened by an affectionate smile, by a kind look ; 
and, if he is refractory, a mother's hand immediately 
offers some plaything to pacify him. In like man- 
ner, the pastor's hedge, while it keeps off intruders, 
should not hurt any one, but offer flowers even to 
those whom it repels. 
