if 
FIRST-COMERS. 
Tue lengthening of the days, as the year slowly advances, 
brings with it increased longing for still balmier weather to 
every one whose pleasure is not bound within the narrow 
limits of the opera and sovrée. To the lover of long ram- 
bles in the woods and meadows, or of lazy boating along 
some placid stream, where the water-lilies bow to let him 
pass and buoyantly rise in his wake, shaking the drops 
from their shining fronds, every indication of approaching 
spring is eagerly scanned, and is hailed with delight. The 
slow decay of the ice in the ponds, the vivid green of the 
aquatic plants disclosed by its melting, the delicate herbage 
hiding under the sodden leaves, the gummy and bursting 
buds, all presage the charms of reviving nature. Then the 
sounds awake. The frogs bid each other good-morning af- 
ter their long sleep; the lowing of ealves and the bleating 
of lambs resound from the hill-sides; the tender warble of 
the bluebird, the cheery call of the robin, and the gurgle 
