248 A BOTANICAL, RAMBLE. 



of the year they hasten in droves to the coast^ they make a fire upon 

 the ground, and putting a kettle of water on it, they throw in a 

 large quantity of these leaves, and, sitting round the fire, they drink 

 large draughts from a bowl — they repeat this for two or three days. 

 By this time they consider themselves sufficiently purified, and taking 

 a bundle of the leaves, they arise, and return each to his habitation. 



"Hurrah for the Holly! the green and gay, 

 When the buds of summer are past awaj^, 

 With dark, bright leaves, and berries red, 

 To crowu King Winter's hoary head. 



Hurrah for the Holly! amid the snow 

 He joyously peeps with a red, warm glow; 

 Though the frost may come, with his with'ring frown. 

 He never can keep the Holly down. 



Hurrah for the Holly! that still smiles on. 

 When summer and sunshine are past and gone. 

 Like the friend who, whatever cloud may lour. 

 Is friendly still in our darkest hour." 



Wordsworth also praises the brave old Holly in the following lines, with 



which we must conclude: — 



"When leafless Oaks towered high above, 

 I sate within an under-grove 

 Of tallest Hollies, tall and green — 

 A fairer bower was never seen. 

 From j'ear to year the spacious floor 

 With withered leaves is covered o'er. 

 Ton could not lay a hair between, 

 And all the year the bower is green." 



5, Middle-Street, Taunton, Somerset, July, 1853. 



(To be continued.) 



A BOTANICAL RAMBLE x\LONG 

 THE BEACH FROM BRIGHTON TOWARDS SHOREHAM. 



BY J. E. SMITH, ESQ. 



It is the first of June when nature, having passed the period of her child- 

 hood, and not yet donned the sober dress of summer, blooms with all the 

 full developed graces of a youthful bride j and although Brighton may not be 

 the place to see her in her loveliest form, yet to the mind that can appreciate 

 the beauty and perfection of her works, there are few strolls more pleasing 

 than the one that we shall take to day. 



Leaving the high road, and wandering on the wide beach, overgrown with 

 plants of various kinds, the eye is attracted by the large masses of colour 

 in which the flowers are arranged, either upon a soft ground of verdant turf^ 

 or upon a grey one of mottled pebbles, with a beauty of effect that must 

 excite the admiration of the artist, or drive him to despair at the hopelessness 



