88 
LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
PRIVET. 
PROHIBITION. 
“ Why,” 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 garden, instead of this weak hedge of 
flowering privet ?” The benevolent minister 
replied:—“ When you forbid your child a hurt¬ 
ful 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 manner, 
the pastor’s hedge, while it keeps off intruders, 
should not hurt any one, but offer flowers even 
to those whom it repels.” 
