VIOLET. (Modesty.) "The violet is for modesty."-Burns. IOLETS, considered by some as typical of modesty, by others are deemed emblematic of faithfulness; and the latter have the support of one of Shakspeare's contemporary poets: "Violet is for faithfulness, Which in me shall abide ; Hoping likewise that from your heart You will not let it slide." "The violet was as proud a device of the Ionic Athenians," says a well-known author, England and the lily of France. 66 as the rose of In all seasons it was to be seen exposed for sale in the market-place at Athens, the citizens being successful in rearing it in their gardens even when the ground was covered with snow." The Greeks called this flower "Ion," and it was said that Jupiter caused the first violet to spring up in the grass, when the unhappy Io, metamorphosed into a heifer, bent her lips to eat. Perdita, when wishing for flowers to give her guests, in the "Winter's Tale," thus speaks of the beauty and perfume of violets: |