WINTER. 123 



adorned as with diamonds ; but it is among the fallen 

 leaves that rustle under our feet that the most lovely and 

 varied efiects of frost's magic fingers must be studied. 

 What a contrast from yesterday, when a dull fog hung 

 around, and the damp, dead leaves lay rotting on the 

 path, noisome things, but to be swept away and perish ! A 

 clear, bright morning with slight frost lures you out, and 

 Avhat a change meets the eye ! Every brown leaf is veined 

 and bordered as with frosted silver, each bearing a dis- 

 tinct character ; some are only edged, some filigreed all over, 

 some curled up so curiously, but all beautiful exceedingly. 

 Not only are the leaves thus transformed, but the broken 

 tmgs lie among them like silver rods. All look of 

 desolation is gone from the garden, the bitter breath of 

 frost has clothed with an unexpected beauty the despised 

 things of yesterday ; reminding us how often times of trial 

 and sorrow dra\v forth traits of courage and kindness, un- 

 suspected and perhaps unfelt till now, beautifying many a 

 character we thought had little attraction in it before. 



Even in midwinter there come sometimes a few mild 

 days, when the feeling of spring is awakened in our hearts 

 — days which 



" Bring hope with them and forward-looking thoughts." 



We walkround the garden looking forthe pointsof snowdrops 

 and crocuses peeping through the dark earth, and longing 

 for the time in which w^e will be w^orking among them again. 

 If there is anything to be done in the way of transplanting 

 or putting in order, it is as well to take advantage of this 



