CHAPTER XX. 

 MONTHLY CALENDAE. 



§ 1.— Aspect of the Month. 



829. The Aprilis of the Latins, from ajjerire, 

 to unveil oneself, fairly lands us amidst the 

 glories of spring ; " with wreaths of the rainbow 

 and sandals of green." The opening buds and 

 blossoms respond to the retui-ning warmth of 

 the sun, although in our northern and sea-girfc 

 climate there is, perhaps, little of that genial 

 temperature which suggested the name to the 

 Eomans. However, many a grassy lane and gi*een 

 bank, and unfolding blossom, — many a daisied lawn 

 and meadow, profusely embroidered with the whit© 

 blossoms of the snow-flake and wind-flower, indicate 

 the presence of spring. In the garden, the delicate 

 blossoms of the almond, as yet unrelieved by other foliage, are its solitary 

 harbingers ; but, before the end of the month, this will be varied by the 

 still more, beautiful blossom of the apple, and the walls will be enriched 

 by the opening blossom of the peach and apricot, and the whole of their 

 fellows. The blossoms of the fruit-trees render the April garden a very grovo 



