476 WILD FLOWERS OF 



brilliant " pomp of woods" with, feelings akin to those 

 that would arise at the sight of a well appointed army 

 glittering with gay uniforms, feathers, and standards 

 just advancing to their final debouche upon the 

 field of battle So this gorgeous array of shrubbery, 

 grove, and forest, is the last glory of the waning year 

 the breath of winter has already touched the foliage 

 with talismanic power, and the transcient colours that 

 on every side now gild the landscape, are only the 

 deceptive tranquil prelude to the desolation that 

 sternly stalks behind. But though the prescient 

 philosopher ever predicating results from apparent 

 phenomena, troubles himself with the coining events 

 whose precursing shadow he espies, there is no neces- 

 sity for a " Botanical Explorator" to be in advance of 

 the season, and thus be overwhelmed in the whirlwinds 

 and storms of Winter before they arise ; sufficient to 

 him to seize the day as it actually exhibits itself, and 

 depict the beauties of nature as they appear all 

 smiles in the balmy transcient hours that beam like 

 sunset clouds in the too short intervals of autumnal 

 pourings. For, alas, " Amalthea's horn," once honoured 

 as the horn of plenty, now too often pours upon the 

 meads and orchards pluvial treasures, upon which the 

 eye gazes mournfully as they fall, and the wandering 

 foot seeks in vain for a dry spot on which to stand 

 and muse. 



Hain ! rain ! rain ! the falling deluge echoed 

 throughout the day in the shrubbery ; it pattered 

 upon the leaves, and sounded mournfully, mixed with 

 the owl's " too whoo" as I raised my head from my 

 pillow dubiously amidst the gloom of midnight. But 

 look out upon the still morning ! All is hushed as if 



