So that at last, from being the most boastful, conceited, disagreeable being possible, he was, by virtue of his troubles and rebuffs, taught better things.

And he would doubtless have developed, in time, into a shining character, had not the sad fate related so touchingly in the old ballad, overtaken him at last. So that the " lily-white Duck" ended his career and his life at the same time, by "gobbling him up," leaving his bereaved mother, and little Beady-eyes, to lament his untoward end. And thus the premature death of Speckleback, the ambitious Frog, who

"would a wooing go,

Whether his mother would let him or no,"

remains as a fearful warning to all disobedient children, up to this very time.

99

THE MISSION AMONG FLOWERS.

"Rouse up, rouse up, slumberers!-Awake, all you indolent dreamers! I am come to stir you up to a glorious revival! Don't you know you have all got a mission? A mission to do something to give some benefit to your fellow-beings-eyes to the blind and ears to the deaf !"

"Oh my poor nerves!" shuddered the Mimosa, "what is all that dreadful clamour about? I would rather own no rights or duties at all, than have them vociferated into my sensitive ears in this boisterous manner!" So she shut up at once, and remained closed to the end of the chapter.

That sad chatterbox, the Gnat, who besides being the chartered postman, had elected him

self news-bearer in chief to the community, repeated the summons with his shrill horn, and added to, and embellished it, after the manner of tale-bearers.

"Do tell me," said the Sweet Pea, "do tell me, what is the matter! Of course, you know, it will not pass my lips again. Only I am a little anxious to know what all the fuss is about."

"Well," replied the Gnat, "I don't mind telling you as a profound secret; but the fact is, I have been desired to proclaim what you have just heard by an illustrious Stranger, newly arrived from abroad. He is of the most illustrious family, I believe; and I assure you, on my honour, as an humble servant of the Government, it will be quite worth your while to go to the meeting to-night."

"Of course I shall," said the Pea, bridling up; "and as so many of our best aristocracy will be there, I shall put all my rings on!"

Never was there such a rout in the flower world before. Old Lady Guelder Rose ruffled

and fretted at her faded white plumes, and bathed and scrubbed them till they looked like old hay, flattering herself that they were clean. But at the last moment they all fell off, at a ruder puff than usual from that spiteful cynic, the East Wind, who was racing about in great glee, and doing all the mischief he could. The poor Dahlia swelled and puffed till she almost burst with vexation, at being only a bulb and a stick. The Pansy wore her velvet robe, before it was fully dyed; and consequently, it looked like a poor plush, and did not show its depth of colour and richness. As for the Convolvulus, she was in such haste to be there, that she had no time to take the puckers out of her skirt; and so she was all in a wrinkle.

In fact, at the meeting, owing to its being rather early in the season, and coming too suddenly for much preparation, half the flowers were muffled up in hoods and leaves.

It was held at a very charming spot, for a crystal brook trickled, with the sweetest murmur in the world, through a forest of arching green ferns;

while soft moss cushions were planted here and there, to accommodate the visitors. A troop of busy gnats served as stewards, to receive the company, and assign to each their proper seat. Every one was in a flutter of expectation; the Turk's-cap nodded till her turban was in danger of falling off; and the Snapdragon grinned so with nervous impatience and anxiety, that she shewed her yellow throat.

"Do look at Auricula," whispered the Larkspur to his neighbour, Sweet William, "she has been in such a hurry she has only half powdered her hair!"

"And Cockscomb's crimson waistcoat has but half a frill!" answered Sweet William.

And now the Flag getting up, and waving his broad purple and yellow pennon, announced that the Illustrious Stranger was ready; and the Trumpet Flower sounded three times a solemn note, as he ascended a tall bulrush, and thus began:

:

"Fair and noble Flowers! I am urged to address you all thus, by the purest motives in