100 CHARMS OF SPRING. 



" Lo ! the winter is past, the rain is over, and gone. 



" The flowers appear on the earth, the time of the singing of 

 birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land. 



" The fig-tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with 

 the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, 

 and come away." 



I have bean so much in the habit of looking at 

 the works of nature with the eyes of a lover, that 

 I frequently describe with a minuteness that may 

 appear unnecessary, and dwell on subjects which 

 may be thought by others unworthy of notice. 

 Many objects have beauties which strike me, but 

 which cursory observers would regard as trifles, or 

 of common occurrence. The arrival of our little 

 summer birds of passage, the streamlet overhung 

 with willows, the rustling of a breath of air amongst 

 the foliage of a tree, the sweet warbling of the 

 early lark, while the dew-drops are sparkling on the 

 greensward, the glittering flies settling on a waving 

 rush, the silvery moon reflected on the calm water; 

 these, and a thousand delightful scenes and objects, 

 make nature so lovely, so interesting, and at the 

 same time so various, that I ever woo her charms, 

 and hail all her productions with joy. 



When a taste is once acquired of examining 

 the many objects which every where surround us, 

 and solicit our attention, we have a source of in- 

 teresting amusement opened to us, the tendency of 

 which is to create in the mind a fondness for ra- 

 tional entertainment, and to fit it for the best im- 

 pressions of kindness and a love of virtue. " Our 



