228 
PRUDENCE. 
murmur, your maternal hand offers him a 
toy to console him ; so the pastor’s hedge 
ought not to injure, but while it keeps off 
those who would intrude, it should offer 
flowers though it repels them.” 
PRUDENCE. 
SERVICE TREE. 
October is drawn in a garment of yellow and car¬ 
nation ; in his left hand a basket of services, med¬ 
lars, and other fruits that ripen late, peacium. 
Every tree and every plant has a phy¬ 
siognomy which is proper to itself, and which 
seems to give it a character. The giddy 
almond tree profusely puts forth its flowers 
in spring, at the risk of having no fruit for 
the autumn, whilst the service tree never 
bears its fruit until it has acquired full 
strength, and then its harvest is certain. 
For this reason it is made the emblem of 
prudence. This beautiful tree retains its 
dazzling scarlet fruit throughout the winter; 
when we see it shining a brilliant contrast to 
the white mantle of snow which covers the 
earth. Its harvest can only be gathered in 
winter, and for that season Providence has 
reserved it for the use of the smaller birds. 
