MARCH. 75 



our feet, which yesterday were intolerably miry, 

 become at once solid and dry. The change is sur- 

 prising. Twelve hours of March air will dry the 

 surface of the earth almost to dustiness, even though 

 no sunshine should be seen ; and " a peck of March 

 dust is worth a king's ransom," says the old proverb, 

 which we may suppose means, that the drying pro- 

 perty of March is invaluable, removing the super- 

 abundant humidity, and enabling the husbandman 

 to get in his seeds the hope of summer produce. 

 So speedily does the mire of winter vanish in this 

 month, that country people, who connect their 

 adages, which though significant are not literally 

 true, with something which makes them partially 

 so, say, " The rooks have picked up all the dirt," 

 because the rooks are now busily employed in 

 building their nests, and use mire to line them, as 

 do magpies too at this period ; who place their 

 thorny halls on the tops of the yet leafless trees, 

 objects conspicuous but secure. 



March is a rude, and sometimes boisterous month, 

 possessing many of the characteristics of winter; 

 yet awakening sensations perhaps more delicious 

 than the two following spring months, for it gives 

 us the first announcement and taste of spring. 

 What can equal the delight of our hearts at the 

 very first glimpse of spring the first springing of 

 buds and green herbs ! It is like a new life infused 

 into our bosoms. A spirit of tenderness, a burst of 

 freshness arid luxury of feeling, possesses us : and 

 let fifty springs have broken upon us, this joy, unlike 



