SPKING-TI3IE ON THE MOOES. 3 



facts. For in the north of England — and especially on its 

 moory uplands — the term spking represents rather a chrono- 

 logical definition than the embodiment of an idea calculated 

 to inspire, from the character of the period it defines, any very 

 high-flown sentiment of poesy. The months of March, 

 April, and often May, include (with the possible exception of 

 September) the worst and most unpleasant period of the 

 year, as regards weather, on the northern hills. Up to the 

 very end of May we are still liable to snow-falls, and the 

 high lands often lie as white then as in December. If one 

 of these months chances to be bright and fine, the others do 

 extra penance to the Nimbi for its errors, and one has to be 

 thankful for single mercies. Jupiter Pluvius holds sway, and 

 as day after day, and week after week, one looks out at the 

 cold, north-easterly sleet driving along the hill-sides, and 

 the pitiless, pelting mistraille shrouding their summits from 

 view, and sending down the burns in top-flood, there is 

 little, it will be admitted, to provoke sentimental outbursts 

 of enthusiasm at the new-born glories of the " glad season," 

 or the revivifying efiects produced by the increasing powers 

 of warmth and light. 



And yet, unkindly as may be the elements, but little, if 

 any, difi'erence is produced by them on the seasonal progress 

 of Nature's economy. Thus the Eaven goes to nest at the 

 end of February, utterly careless of the temperature — of the 

 thermometer standing several degrees below the freezing 

 point, and of a foot of snow enveloping the hills. She 

 knows her appointed time, and cares for none of these things. 

 And so it is with most of Nature's creatures. The sequence 

 of events, each at its appointed season, goes on with mar- 

 vellous regularity aud with imperceptible regard for extraneous 

 conditions. It is true the grass on the northern hills hardly 

 commences to grow before June — the curved head of the 

 bracken only emerges from the peat during that month — 

 and the heather shows but little change from the black and 

 lifeless hue it assumed in October till towards the period 

 which, by the almanac, should be called summer. For 

 these, spring is simply non-existent ; but with the higher 

 forms of life it is diff"erent. The moor-birds regard only 



B 2 



