72 FROM A MIDDLESEX GARDEN 



planted together, or in even rows in garden-beds of brown 

 earth, their pure charm is lost ; they want the new green of 

 the grass for their sun-opened petals' displaying. 



Crowded with thoughts and suggestions of new life is 

 every hour of Spring's birthday, from early morn till dusk, 

 when the orchard's white blossoms are hushed to rest, gossa- 

 mered with filmy mist, and the last bird having finished its 

 jerafa, that in its singing tells the land of the near time when 

 the hedges are emerald frescoes, whereon are carved as in ivory 

 the fair white stars of the flowers o' the May. 



