I 



The Spring arose on the garden fair 

 And the spirit of Love fell everywhere*** 



SHELLEY. 



APRIL 



Tis 



" The Spring and playtime of the year," 



of which Cowper sang ; the very earliest hours of Spring are 

 with us, the time which that old Court poet, Thomas Carew, 

 set to rhyme : 



" Now that the Winter's gone, the earth has lost 

 Her snow-white robes ; and now no more the frost 

 Candies the grass, or casts an icy cream 

 Upon the silver lake or crystal stream : 







The valleys, hills, and woods in rich array, 

 Welcome the coming of the longed-for May." 



The secret of the sweetness of April lies principally in its 

 showers and flowers, and the charm of its days, because they 

 are so full of changeful moments, varying from dazzling sun- 

 light to dark and sudden shadows. And it is when the 

 ominous black clouds suddenly spring up from the horizon 

 that the orchard-blossoms are seen at their best, and then 

 from a distance, much of their beauty being lost in the strong 

 light. The chestnuts are among the first of the trees to 

 know of the " playtime of the year," and to shake off the 

 Winter's restraint. In early March each twig of the tree 

 was sticky with golden cement, but in the first warm April 

 shower the scales fell down in a flutter of delight, and, as if 

 by magic, a little tuft of downy leaflets were born, in whose 

 heart is carefully hidden the young flower, delicately perfect 



79 



