AUTHOR'S PREFACE.

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MONG the inmates of our workhouses are often

to be found simple-minded people, who, from the disadvantages of early training, or perchance from the lack of any training at all, are very ignorant, and hence arise many of the quarrels one hears of among them, as well as much of the discontent and jealousy which, as a rule, prevail in these institutions. But we must remember that they are our brothers and sisters, towards whom we have a duty, and the more we identify ourselves with them, the more we shall find warm and loving hearts, who need only to feel that they have the sympathy of outsiders, to draw out their better and nobler qualities, and make them take in good part the shelter and food provided for them in their old age and straitened circumstances. They are one and all very fond of being read to, but with many the difficulty of finding anything

sufficiently simple to understand or to remember is very great, and it is this which has suggested the idea that the following pages may be found useful to workhouse visitors, for, as a rule, the poor people have a natural love for flowers, and the sight of some will bring tears to their eyes, reminding them of the Cottage Home of their Childhood. Nor would we

be supposed to restrict the use of these unpretending pages; the book is sent forth in the hope that it may be acceptable for parochial use generally, and be found useful also in the nurseries and drawing-rooms of the rich. Grateful acknowledgments are due to many kind friends, and for thoughts and suggestions taken from books already in use-" Flowers and Flower Lore," by the Rev. Hilderic Friend; "Favourite Field Flowers," by Robert Tyas; "Familiar Garden Flowers," by Shirley Hibberd; "Weeds and Wild Flowers," by Lady Wilkinson; and others..

VOICELESS TEACHERS.

A Floral Index in a Bunch of Cut Flowers.

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N introducing some of the numerous members of our Floral family to the reader, it may be well to see them all together first, that we may get some idea of how happy they are in their intercourse one with another though each have different points in their characterssome are bright and pretty, some are dull but sweet, some are weak, and some are strong, but all have an example for us to follow.

We have the Rose with all its beauty and sweetness speaking to us of love, patience, and many other virtues, while its thorns remind us that amid all pleasure must be some pain. The Wall-flower and Poppy show something of the blessing of contentment. The Forget-me-not

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tells of faithful friendship. From the Fuchsia
we learn the value of a plentiful use of water.
The Jasmine speaks of amiability. The Daisy
of innocence. The Aster and Chrysanthemum
of brightness under difficulties. The Hyacinth
tells sometimes of mourning and sometimes of
joy. The name Columbine, so called from the
Latin word for Dove given because of its fancied
resemblance to the figure of a hovering dove,
reminds us of the blessed doctrine of Whitsun-
tide. The Lily speaks of Purity. The Sensi-
tive Plant seems to suggest the blessing of a
tender conscience, which, fearing to grieve the
Holy Spirit, is watchful against sin. The
Primrose, Snow-drop, Violet, and other Spring
flowers, speaking as they do of renewed life,
remind us of our own rising again. Then
we have the Mignonette to tell of the beauty
of meekness and gentleness. The Honey-
suckle, of clinging affection. The Narcissus
warns us of the danger of indulging in vanity
and self-esteem. The Geranium and Pelar-
gonium encourage us in the virtue of persever-
ance. The Columbine of resolution. The
Crocus would teach the lifelong lesson, patience.
The St. John's Wort speaks to us sweetly of the

grace of God. The Celandine would have us look forward to coming joy. The Myrtle encourages the soldier of the Cross to strive for the mastery, and tells how this is to be done so that the Crown promised to the faithful may be secured at last. The Passion-flower points out the refreshment given in the Church on earth, preparing each humble subject of the King for the everlasting joy of the Heavenly Banquet, unto which may He of His mercy vouchsafe to bring us all for His own merits' sake-Amen.

"O all ye green things upon the earth, bless ye the Lord, praise Him and magnify Him for ever."