"There are eleven different sorts, my dear;" said her mother, "the common myrtle is a native of the South of Europe, and is called Myrtus Communis. Many come from the West India Islands, and some from Asia. In the Isle of Wight we have hedges of them, and in the South of England they will grow in the open air, as well as some of the geraniums, of which latter there are too many for me to enumerate. How lovely is the Convallaria Majalis, or lilly of the valley. It is a simple flower, a native of Britain, but the perfume is delightful." From the Florist, they now turned towards the MILLINER, [Illustration: _Milliner_] where little Caroline again saw something to excite her laughter, and to call forth the smile of her father. A lady, long past the prime of life, but dressed in a style of girlish fashion, with short sleeves which shewed her shrivelled arms, and still shorter petticoats, was viewing herself with much complacency, as she placed on her head, the grey hairs of which were concealed by the flowing tresses of an auburn wig, a large straw hat, loaded with flowers and feathers, and only fit for a young woman under thirty. "Surely, mamma," cried Emily, "that old lady can never intend to buy that hat? It is too gay for one of her years." "She certainly does," said Maria, "and I dare say believes that it will make her look twenty years younger than she is." "She thinks wrong then, sister," exclaimed Theodore. "For, unless she can hide the wrinkles in her face and neck, and the loss of her teeth, and the leanness of her body, she will only the more expose her age, by dressing so ridiculously." "Your remark is a just one, my boy," said his father. "Old age of itself is respectable, and calls for the attention and veneration of youth, but when it apes the dress and follies of the latter, it only excites the sneer of contempt, and the laugh of ridicule." "From contemplating the weakness of the human mind," said Mrs. Durnford, "let us now turn towards that which has the power of strengthening and invigorating the human body. What would our physicians and other medical gentlemen do, without the aid of the CHEMIST AND DRUGGIST. [Illustration: _Chemist & Druggist_] The physician writes his prescription, and it is then sent to the shop of the druggist, who makes it up according to the order. Several of their medicines are rendered expensive, by having musk, camphire, and other dear articles introduced in them. Apothecaries Hall is the best place to buy drugs, for they never vend any that are not genuine." "Drugs are composed of minerals as well as vegetables, are they not, papa?" said Theodore. "Yes, my dear boy. But do you perfectly comprehend what is a mineral?"