1862.] THE OPiiNING YEAR. 67 



sure, and of joining the little exploring party in their search after 

 those objects of natural history that accompany the opening year. 

 These " lessons on objects" we have always found to be far more 

 interesting to children than anything that can be told about them ; 

 for they are never tired of seeing, though they may not be fond 

 of sermonizing ; and, when the microscope is taken out of its case, 

 there is sure to be a rush made to get the first peep at the tiny 

 wonders thus revealed. 



We often smile at the simplicity which characterized us in the 

 days of our childhood, when the schoolmistress used to tell us, 

 with so much apparent gravity and earnestness, that " as soon 

 as the ducks had eat all the dirt up," all who were big enough to 

 walk so far should go with her down to Drew's Pond, a distance 

 of little more than a mile, to gather pussy-cats (catkins of the 

 hazel) and violets. We seem to see, even now, the yellow pollen 

 of the catkins on the noses of our little schoolmates, and cannot 

 forget how, before we saw the violets, our senses were regaled by 

 their fragrance^ which v/as exhaled from a mossy bank. The 

 two plants have always been favourites since ; but we were not 

 taught to look a little lower down on the sprays of the hazel for 

 the beautiful crimson styles of the female flower. 



As the season advances the light clouds hover about ; there is 

 also a softness and transparency in the air ; the buds are open- 

 ing and emitting their peculiar odours, which are very percep- 

 tible after a shower; the cottager is out trimming his garden, 

 and star-like primroses are seen. Oh, what recollections are 

 awakened by the mention of this flower ! We remember how 

 we used to assemble outside the school, to appoint a place of 

 meeting for one o'clock, from which we would run, rampant with 

 joy, down to Rundas Water, and bound over the rivulets to 

 gather primroses, which we intermixed with blue-bells and stuck 

 round our hats on our return. These were sunny days, and the 

 recollection of them is dear to us still ; and the flowers have be- 

 come endeared to us by a thousand associations connected with 

 the scenery where they grew. 



A little later in the season, and the Gandigosl'mg [Orchis mas- 

 cula) comes into flower ; and we remember, as if it were but yes- 

 terday, with what exuberant joy we listened to the welcome an- 

 nouncement made by the good old dame already mentioned, that 

 on the morrow, if we were good, we should go out walking with 



