CHAPTER III. 



THE SHAMROCK. 



Should any of my readers have amused themselves 

 by conjecturing which, among the increasing vari- 

 ety of floral gems that herald the spring, would be 

 brought forward as appropriate to the month of 

 March, they will probably be disappointed. The 

 delicate primrose may look forth from its crisp 

 leaves ; the fragrant violet may volunteer, in its 

 natural and emblematical beauty, to furnish a 

 grateful type ; but the parterre, with all its attrac- 

 tion, must be passed by ; for, among the long grass 

 at the bottom of the garden, in the most unculti- 

 vated, neglected spot, lurks the object of w T hich 

 we are now in quest : — invisible, as yet ; unless 

 prematurely unfolded by the influence of more 

 genial weather than we can reasonably anticipate 

 at this blustering season : but sure to lift up its 

 simple head, in the freshness of healthful vegeta- 

 tion, before three weeks have passed away. Yes, 



