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The Months and Remarkable Days.

BY THE REV. W. L. ROBERTS, HOLMFIRTH.

IV. APRIL.

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HE Roman name for this month was Aprilis, derived from the word aperis which means to open. From the same root we have the word aperture which means an opening. This name was given to the month because it is generally the month for the opening of the buds. The little green buds on the hedge-rows and the trees force themselves open and the leaves spread themselves about this time. Our Anglo-Saxon forefathers called it Ooster, that is Eastermonth, because Easter generally comes in this month. The first day in April, this year, is Easter-Monday, the origin of which we have explained in the last month's "Hive." It will no doubt be a holiday for most of the "Hive" readers, and in some places they will have plenty of sport with their Easter eggs. We hope they will enjoy it without quarelling. The first of April will, I dare say, be remembered by many youngsters, for another reason; it is called All Fools' Day, and a good many tricks will be played on this day in order to get a laugh at those who are not sharp enough to detect them. This custom is very common in many countries besides England; being practised nearly all over Europe. It is not known when or why the practice began. Nearly all the peculiar customs of this country have some connexion either with heathen or early Christian festivities, and most likely this has; but we don't know what. Some people think it has a reference to

the fact that during the last days of Christ's sufferings he was passed about from one place to another; first to the high priest, then to Pilate, and then to Herod, and back again to Pilate. Many years ago, the people of the Christian church were very fond of acting on the stage imitations of some of the principal scenes in the life of Christ; these were called miracle-plays. Amongst them the last sufferings of Christ were often thus represented; and as this play was generally given at Easter, or about the beginning of April, this custom of sending people on useless errands may have thus become associated with the first of April. The practice of making April Fools is often a very foolish one. There may be amusement in it both for young and old if it be innocently carried on, but sometimes boys and girls carry it too far; sometimes they don't stick to truth, and they will try to send a person on a foolish errand by telling a lie; this is wicked and the person who does it is the real fool. Then I have sometimes seen children and even grown up people play their the aged and feeble; and sometimes when they see a blind old man, or an old woman in old-fashioned dress, that can perhaps scarcely get along the road in consequenee of feebleness, they will play tricks upon them and sorely annoy the poor old folks; now this is very unkind, very rude, very cowardly; never make the helpless aged and the poor suffer through your fun. You have perhaps heard the fable of the frogs who told the little boys that the stones they threw for fun were very hurtful to them in the pond. Boys and girls may have fun, but don't let your fun hurt any one. Remember also that there are fools on other days besides the first of April-boys and girls that play truant from school, that neglect their lessons, that despise their kind parents, and squander their small stocks of money in things that do harm instead of good, and that people who neglect to prepare for death are all fools whether it be April or not.

April tricks on

I hope the readers of the "Hive" will be wise, and especially "wise unto Salvation."

A Greenland Parliament.

N the middle of the one room, or hall, stood a plain pine table, with a plain bench on either side of it, and on each bench sat six parliamentarians, dressed in seal-skin pantaloons and boots, and Guernsey frocks, across which there was a very large display of suspenders. Each parliamentarian head was covered with a cap composed of the brightest kind of scarlet cloth, ornamented with a broad gilt band. The royal emblems were embroidered in front, and above these there was a golden bear, with a crown on his head, standing uncomfortably on his hind legs, to typify Greenland. There was a thirteenth cap at the head. of the table, and this was worn by Mr. Anthon, pastor of Julianashaab, and president of the Julianashaab parliament ex officio.

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The first business was in the form of a petition for relief. The petitioner stood there in person, looking the very picture of forlorn destitution. He stated that he had lost his canoe (kayak), and he produced evidence enough to show, without any swearing, false or otherwise, that it had been crushed and lost in the ice. The man, who had hardly clothes on his back to cover his nakedness, showed further that he had a wife and family who had no friends to assist them, and were entirely dependent on him for support. I thought it a doubtful support at best, and so appeared to think the parliament, for they voted an order for a certain daily allowance. The next case was of a young hunter,

whose kayak had been crushed by the ice, and who had not the means to build a new one. They voted him a loan. A third case was that of an old man, who received five shillings to buy a spear with; another was partly a loan and partly a gift to a man who had a family of girls, and required materials for an oomiak. Still another made application for, and received assistance to bury a dead husband.-Harper's Magazine.

Lessons from Daisies and Snowdrops.

BY ALICE A. CHESSON, LEAMINGTON.

ITH what joy do we hail the first flower, however humble, that meets our gaze after a long and dreary winter! Even the field daisy, hundreds of which we pass unnoticed in the summer time, is now an object of interest, and considered by its possessor a perfect treasure. For this little flower, which lifts its head to greet the sunshine and to brave the storm, is justly considered the forerunner of those fair and lovely, yet more fragile and more delicate flowers, with which ere long our fields and hedges will be gay. While speaking thus of other flowers, you must not think I mean to slight the little daisy, for it is, indeed, a pretty flower, with its yellow centre, fringed with white or red, and plainly does it speak to us of its Creator's wisdom and love in making it so strong that it can brook the wild winds and chilling blasts of early spring, that by its presence it may bid our hearts rejoice in the prospect of lengthened days and balmy air. There are other lessons which this little flower would teach us, if we would but listen to its gentle voice. It would speak to us in kindly tones of patience and of courage

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when in the path of duty; of forgiveness of injuries; of wearing a cheerful face under all circumstances; of putting our trust in God at all times; of believing in His wisdom and goodness when the rough winds of adversity and sorrow are beating upon our frail barks, as well as when the sunshine of prosperity is upon our path; of ever keeping our eye of faith directed upward, even when the sky is overcast with clouds, and the sun has been hidden for many days. So greatly do I prize the little daisy, which, in all weathers, and under all circumstances, presents the same appearance of cheerful contentment, that I do not consider a wild flower bouquet complete if ungraced by some of these homely, but deeply suggestive flowers.

On the 7th of February, 1871, I received a letter from a very dear friend residing at Penzance, that lovely spot where winter's reign is short, and where the mild genial air soon causes the trees to bud and the flowers to come forth from their prison-house to beautify the earth. Upon opening it, four beautiful snowdrops presented themselves to my astonished and delighted gaze. So lovely were they, with their pure-white blossoms and delicate green stems, reposing on the soft white paper, in which they had been carefully wrapped, that they looked almost too fair and lovely for this sin-stricken world. Without, a heavy fog had enveloped all things with its mantle of thick gloom; but the air within seemed to have changed most suddenly by the presence of these beauteous things, bringing with them as they did the promise of brighter days and sunny skies. How strange it seems that such lovely things as flowers should, with their bright tints and delicate hues, spring from the dark, damp, and dirty-looking earth. Yet God in His wisdom has suited them for each other. The earth acts the part of a tender mother to the roots, supplying them with nourishment and protecting them from the scorching rays of summer and the nipping frosts of winter; while the flowers, in return for her care, unfold their glories

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