]82 JUNE. 



copses peep from their fringed husks : the gar- 

 den presents ripe cherries, melting strawberries: 

 and gooseberries and currants, assuming tints 

 of ripeness, are extremely grateful. Grasses 

 are now in flower ; and when the larger species 

 are collected and disposed tastefully, as I have 

 seen them by ladies, in vases, polished horns, 

 and over pier-glasses, they retain their fresh- 

 ness through the year, and form, with their 

 elegantly pensile panicles, bearded spikes, and 

 silken plumes, exceedingly graceful ornaments. 



Hay-harvest has commenced, and, in some 

 southern counties, if the weather be favourable, 

 is completed; but next month may be con- 

 sidered as the general season of hay -making. 



SHEEP-SHEARING, begun last month, is gene- 

 rally completed this. It is one of the most 

 picturesque operations of rural life, and, from 

 the most ancient times, it has been regarded as 

 a season of gladness and festivity. The simple 

 and unvitiated sense of mankind taught them, 

 in the earlier ages of society, that the bounty 

 of Nature was to be gathered in with thank- 

 fulness, and in a spirit like that of the Great 

 Giver, a spirit of blessing and benevolence. 

 Therefore did they join with the brightness 



