!
WEST
J
E EmilyA.Kellort.
" Don't fail to see the pond lilies at Lincoln park," was the injunction
given a visitor to Chicago. " They are something rare and famous." And
so they are. They have been the greatest attraction at that very beautiful
park for the past two summers. Their formation, their fertilization and
the regulation of their temperature was a great cost In both a scientific and
financial way, even before the roots were brought from afar with which to
stock them. Four continents have contributed of their floral treasures, and
these exotics have required the most careful attention and study of their
habits lest their constitutions should be undermined.
Although strangers to their present home, and to each other, Individ
ually, tbey have a strong bond of union a family bond. With the excep
tion of two or three cousins (and quite near cousins) they are all members
of the Nymphxa family. When you are scientific and dignified you will
call them by this, their botanical name, for they are such regal ladies as to
deserve the moBt courtly address. The family name comes first. These
botanic names, too, all mean something, and their common names are gen
erally a translation into our common tongue of the more learned title.
Now, our names mean something, or did originally. But few of us retain
the characteristics for which our names were given to our ancestors. Not
many of the Taylor family know bow to handle a goose, while thousands
upon thousands of the Smiths would be quite chagrined (and foolishly so)
if required to make a living with hammer and forge. But these botanic
families hold fast to their family traits and deserve their names.
The Nympkca family is bo named because of Its queenly beauty and its
watery home, for a nymph Is goddess over the pure and running water.
Here at Lincoln park two African beauties grow side by side The
Nymphxa Zamibaremii, or purple lily, tells you, by its name, of its old
home, if you remember your geography lessons; while Its sister, the Nym
phxa Dentata, though much like our common pond lily, gains Its name
from its white, tooth-shaped petals. Among the most brilliant of the group
are the rose colored lilies. These are the Nymphxa Dtvonitmii and the
Ntlumbium Nucifentm, or crimson lotus of Japan. You will see, by the
way, that this last named lily Is not quite " one of the family," but Is one
of the cousins, and a very noted one. In ancient times It flourished in
Egypt and was then regarded with great reverence. The botanists of these
older days were not so scientific in their classifications as the great Swede,
Linnirus, and called this flower a lotus, just as they did the Nymphxa lotus,
which is also a sacred lily. The Ntlumbium has a curious, spiral growth In
the stalks of both leaf and flower. They are removed by the Hindoos and
burned as wicks In their sacred lamps. The lotus of the Nile has been for
centuries the favorite flower of Egypt, and It often to be seen In statuary
and other works of art. But It blooms in Lincoln park as modestly as
though It were unknown to ancient art A gay lily is tbe yellow one from
Florida, quite unlike the little, yellow buds we find in our northern waters.
Two of our own native white lilies are also growing In the pond, but too
modestly refrained from blooming In the presence of the foreign beauties
tbe day I saw them. The Nymphxa Pygmxa tells yon by her name that
she is a dwarf. She comes from China, and has a thrifty growth and blos
soms freely. Her little, white blossoms are numerous and beautiful. But
the queen of all, as yon may know by her name, is the Victoria Rtgia. Toe
Nymphxa are croud, Indeed, to call this regsl fbwer cousin. The noble
blossom, In its best estate, measures twelve inches across. The ones I saw
were not so large, but very beautiful. They are of a rich cream color, and
on the second day turn rose color. But the great, round, green leaves are
the greatest wonder. They measure from four to five feet aero, and are of
marvelous structure, being smooth on the upper side and turning up around
the edge like a jelly cake pan. They will bear up a considerable weight ; a
child has been floated safely upon one of them. But to understand its
strength of structure you must have oue of these great leaves turned over.
Then yon will see the great veins running out from the stem, like a fan, and
the smaller veins crossing and re-crossing the greater ones. This is nature's
plan for graceful strength, and served as a model, we are told, to the man
who conceived the plan of the first Crystal Palace.
Have yon ever played " progressive observation T " It is somewhat In
I tbe line of the game of senses previously suggested in Wist Siiori. The
1 leader of the game must spend some time and thought In preparation. On
I a round table he arranges all sorts of things, as a ball, a knife, a pocket-
book, a pen-wiper, a spoon, a glove, eto. He should have a great variety of
5 small things. When the table is ready the leader covers it. Each observer
SHORE. 71
Is furnished with pencil and paper. The leader then removes the cover and
gives all three minutes to observe the articles on the table. At the bell tap
the cover goes on again, and for three minutes each Is busy making a writ
ten list of everything he has noted. The leader now taps the bell and calls
upon one of the party to read his list, while the others check off on their
lists what he reads. The next one then reads from his paper the names of
objects omitted by the first one. All continue in this way until every list
has been read and checked. Prises may be given In this game, the first
being for the longest list, the second for the largest number of objects not
mentioned by any other observer, and the booby prize, of course, for the
shortest list. In using prises it is important that they be inexpensive.
, Even if some are able to purchase costly gifts, it is a bad example to set.
It is very easy to let the matter degenerate into a puree rivalry. This is
foolish and pernicious among adults and doubly so among the young, who,
above all, should ignore in their social circles the question of poverty and
riches. To award costly prises might also stimulate that desire for unearned
gains, which is the bane of the gambler's life, and is to be resolutely
shunned. Let the girls make the prises, and thus exercise their taste and
ingenuity for the general delight. You may possibly think best to purchase
the booby prise. A jumplng-jack presented to a stalwart youth, or a pewter
tea set to a blooming girl of sixteen makes great gaiety ; yet your own sense
of humor may improve on anything there is in the shops. In " progressive
observation " great skill may be exercised in arranging the table, and the
leader should be one of the most mature of the party. It Is quite Improv
ing to compare notes as to what guided each in observing the objects. One
will classify naturally by material, mentally grouping the wooden articles
and the woolen ones, etc. Another's eye will group the articles as they lie
together on the table. Those who are ambitious of Improvement will be
glad to try the game over again. In this case let the leader re-arrange the
articles before allowing the new trial. Old and young will join together In
this game with great enjoyment and marked improvement in the power of
observation one of the most valuable of our faculties, and one which is of
great practical use in the greatest of games which men call Life.
TALKS AT 11031S.
IV Tin Cohrtsous Kkbi-onhk Emillne and Qussie were chatting over
their sewing last night, when Emlline casually remarked: "I saw Mr.
Barnes yesterday and he said he had a note from you a while ago."
" And why," asked Quasie, with a flash of her eye, " did he not answer
my note?"
" Why," said Emillne, trying to recall the conversation, " I don't know.
He seemed to think it did not need any answer."
" Well, I wish people would show common politeness about answering
notes. I wrote to him more than three weeks ago, on business of our com
mittee, and asked him to either answer or let me see him at once. Here he
waits all this time and then mentions to a third party that he had a note
from me. I Hit that," and Oussle gave a scornful toss to her head.
Few young people, or old people, for that matter, are particular to
respond promptly to notes, letters and invitations. Like our Mr. Barnes,
they " seem to think " no answer la required. I say " item to think," for
it is largely fact of thought. They do not thoughtfully consider the matter
or they would act more wisely and more courteously. If Miss Qussie had
met Mr. Barnes and bad asked him the same question, the answer would
have been most kindly and promptly given, or he would have accused him
self of great rudeness. 1
A prompt response is even more urgent a duty in the case of receiving
an invitation. It is only justice to the friend who gives yon an Invitation
that you let ber know at once whether or not it Is accepted by you. I once
invited a large company of friends to attend an evening entertainment and
spend the night at my home. I lived In the country and at such a distance
from supplies as to render such an Invitation an almost heroic act of hospi
tality. My Invited guests had abundant opportunities of undemanding the
difficulties of my situation, and I had asked for a response, yet only one of
the five families included in the Invitation had the grace to reply. Do you
think I felt very amiable at I prepared lodgings and table for these good
people and awaited in suspense their possible arrival ?
Every boy and girl should understand the obligation to write to the
host or hottest upon arriving home from a visit. A short note Is all
that Is necessary, merely a pleasant, friendly, grateful word, telling of safe
arrival and acknowledging the kindness which made the visit pleaaant
one. I remember a social sin of omission of which I was guilty. I had
made Lydia a visit and upon my return home neglected, through girlish
carelessness, to write the little note. I realised my discourtesy when it was
so late that I was ashamed to write. I do not know whether Lydla baa
forgiven me, for I never had the moral courage to ask her; but I have not
forgiven mysell and have never been able to recall that visit with satisfac
tion, and all because I was guilty of neglect Neglect Is the one unpardon
able sin against friendship. You may sin grievously through hasty tmr
or foolish, impulsive actions, but cold neglect can never hope for forgiveness.