162 JUNE. 



many of the forest trees put forth their blossoms. 

 The chestnut, in the earliest period of the month, is 

 a glorious object, laden with ten thousand waxen 

 pyramidal flowers. Then come the less conspicuous, 

 but yet beautiful developements of other giants of the 

 wood. The sycamore, the maple, and the horn- 

 beam are affluent with their pale, yellow florets, 

 quickly followed by winged seeds ; the ash shows 

 its bunches of green keys ; and lastly, the lime bursts 

 into one proud glow of beauty, filling the warm air 

 with honeyed sweetness, and the ear with the hum 

 of a thousand bees, 



Pilgrims of summer, who do bow the knee 

 Zealously at every shrine. 



The general character of June, in the happiest 

 seasons, is fine, clear, and glowing, without reaching 

 the intense heats of July. Its commencement is the 

 only period of the year in which we could possibly 

 forget that we are in a world of perpetual change 

 and decay. The earth is covered with flowers, and 

 the air is saturated with their odours. It is true that 

 many have vanished from our path, but they have 

 slid away so quietly, and their places have been 

 occupied by so many fragrant and beautiful succes- 

 sors, that we have scarcely been sensible of their 

 departure. Every thing is full of life, greenness, and 

 vigour. Families of young birds are abroad, and 

 give their parents a busy life of it, till they can peck 

 for themselves. Rooks have deserted the rookery, 



