DITTANY. 



yellow, brown, lemon, and orange, as well as of divers shades 

 of colour. Our planet has, in its course, drawn nearer to 

 the sun, and the hours when we enjoy his light are daily 

 lessened, the days are not so warm, the nights grow colder 

 even to freezing, and the faded leaves fall continuously. 

 The paths of garden, field, and forest are strewed with 

 them. The beautiful Spring has gone, the brilliant Summer 

 has fled, the changing Autumn is fast passing, and a sense 

 of sadness pervades the mind, and a weight of melancholy 

 depresses us, as the dead leaves remind us that "all that's 

 bright must fade." Some friends we love must go on 

 before, leaving us behind ; while we in turn must pass away, 

 and leave others who may grieve for us. Yet again shall 

 Winter give way to Spring, the fields shall become verdant, 

 flowers shall flourish, birds shall sing, all nature shall rejoice : 

 so with sadness and melancholy ; they too shall give way 

 to consolation, and comfort, and be followed by happiness 

 made more enjoyable by the contrast. 



DITTANY {Origamim Dictavuuis). — Birth. 



When Juno took charge of children at their birth, she 

 assumed as a surname, Lucina (as bringing to light, i.e. 

 life). At such times she wore a wreath of Dittany. The 

 pleasant fragrance of this shrub, and its medicinal qualities, 

 won the favour of the ancients and exact our regard. It 

 is indigenous to Candia, or Crete. Its generic name signi- 

 cs the Juy of the Mountain, a name it fully merits, 



78 



