80 
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 flow¬ 
ering Privet?” The benevolent minister re¬ 
plied, “ When you forbid 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 manner, 
the pastor’s hedge, while it keeps off intruders, 
should not hurt any one, hut offer flowers even 
to those whom it repels.” 
