IS there a Blossom among you who does not want to win success? I am
sure I hope not. There is an old saying, into which is packed a deal
of common sense. This is, "What has been done, can be done." Since
there is truth in it, would it not be well for all who want to succeed,
to study those who have succeeded? To this end, I want to introduce
the Pansies to a book bearing the title which is at the head of this
article. It is written by Mrs. Sarah K. Bolton of Cleveland, which name
you will know, when you grow older, if you do not now, ensures it as
delightfully written and worthy of all trust. A copy of the book lies
on my desk at this moment. There is a sense in which it is not of much
consequence how a book is dressed, and yet I do like to see one in a
pretty dress, don't you?
This one is robed in a lovely gray tint, very like the color which used
to be called "ashes of roses;" ask your mamma if she remembers that. It
has an exquisite design in gold, representing the ocean, a ship riding
its waves, a lighthouse streaming out its warning of rocks ahead, and a
hint of harbor in the distance.
As to size, there are two hundred and forty-five pages clear type, with
very good pictures of twelve grand men who were eminently successful
in their various fields, and a brief sketch of each, given in Mrs.
Bolton's inimitable style.
One of the faces is like the one I give you in this article--John H.
Vincent. I would be glad to have all the Pansies acquainted with the
man. Many hundreds of you have seen him at Chautauqua; I hope many
thousands more of you will go there, and see and hear him. I believe he
has more sympathy with, and heart for, and knowledge of young people,
than any other great man whose name I know. These things being true, of
course he can help young people, if they will let themselves be helped
by him.
Who else is in the book? Oh, Whittier, the grand old poet, and Gough,
the temperance orator, and Wanamaker, the Christian merchant and
philanthropist, and Edison the great inventor, and Morton, whom so many
of the sick and suffering have reason to bless, and half a dozen more
whom you may not know quite so well by name, but will enjoy meeting.
I am anxious that the Pansies in their youth gather books about them
which will not have to be cast aside as outgrown in a few months, but
can be given honorable places on their library shelves when they are
men and women.
[Illustration: DR. J. H. VINCENT.]
This is why I am watching the books, and giving you their names, and a
hint of their contents, and getting special rates for you. Now I have
reached the remaining question of importance, viz., price. Regular
price, one dollar; to members of the P. S., whose names are regularly
enrolled on our list, sixty cents. Send to D. Lothrop & Co., Boston, if
you are entitled to the book at that price.
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JAMES VICK, seedsman and florist (Rochester, N. Y.), sends out a
"Portfolio of Rare and Beautiful Flowers." The choice of the subjects
comprising the six large plates, painted from nature, is a most happy
one; and the accompanying descriptions and history of these exquisite
forms, in verse and prose, reflect great credit upon the editorial
work. We predict for it a generous reception.