238 RIVERSIDE LETTERS xxx 



that they are reported to do the same to 

 rabbits and even sheep. 



In weeding the other day I came upon a 

 thing of great beauty, namely, a berry 

 of the lily-of-the-valley ; this well-known 

 favourite seldom seeds, though in the spring 

 its flowers are much beset by bees ; I have 

 been told that it is seldom known to have 

 more than one berry on a stem. The berry 

 I found was the only one in quite a large 

 patch of faded plants, but it was most lovely, 

 I really think for exquisite colouring more 

 beautiful than any berry I ever saw. Chinese 

 vermilion, I should say, approximates nearest 

 to its tint ; it had a delicate bloom on its 

 surface, was large and elegant in shape, and 

 gained very much by the contrast of its pure 

 colour with the neutral tints which surrounded 

 it. There it hung complete and spotless 

 amidst the debris of decaying leaves. You 

 will, I dare say, laugh at me for my sentimen- 

 tality, but I cannot tell you what inexpressible 

 pleasure a thing of this sort gives me. 



