The Rambles of an Idler 



sun, moon, stars, perhaps the milky way and a 

 vagrant comet, but not a sign on this old Earth, 

 which of all the bodies pitching headlong 

 through space alone concerns me. 



It is very kind of almanac-authors to tell us 

 just when spring commences. I know of no 

 pleasanter reading in the depth of winter. If 

 I take down the pamphlet from its brass hook 

 on the mantel to see when the moon changes I 

 always turn also to this delightful date and let 

 fancy indulge in sky-larking. So doing, bright- 

 ens many an otherwise dull winter day. 



For many a week I have been looking for- 

 ward, and now here among the old oaks, with 

 meadows before me and the distant hills but 

 dimly outlined, I am in the actual presence of 

 an instant set aside for peculiar honors. No, I 

 am not. It was 8 :16 A. M. five minutes ago and 

 the commencement of spring has passed into the 

 progress of the blessed season. Small progress 

 yet but many have been the preparations, and 

 these may very properly and profitably concern 

 us. I had already interpreted many. The lit- 

 tle hylodes and the hylas have been making the 

 air tremble over the marshes since the eleventh, 

 and as if that were too little to command at- 



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