MAY 127 



The whiteness of the orchard blossom is fading in a 

 most beautiful manner, for ever as it grows dim so the 

 green of the foliage becomes more pronounced. In a few 

 meadows near, one of the most handsome of our wild Spring 

 blossoms is now to be found in the Fritillaria {Fritillaria 

 Meliagris\ its chequered bells of dull purple contrasting 

 beautifully with the new green tint of leaf and grass around 

 it. In the gentle breeze "daisies pied" and "ladies' smocks 

 all silver white " are dancing, all the trees are glittering with 

 their new sun-steeped leaves, save one ; only the ash is utterly 

 bare and winter-like; but later on, what a merry tune the 

 summer wind will play among its graceful foliage, when on 

 every stave of twig and branch will be crowding little golden- 

 green clusters of " keys." Two of the most beautiful of 

 golden blossoms the barberry and the gorse are now show- 

 ing their floral wealth in real earnest. Of the latter blossom, 

 and of this season, Swinburne sings 



" The larks are loud above our leagues of whin, 

 Now the sun's perfume fills their glorious gold 

 With odour like their colour : all the wold 

 Is only light and song and wind wherein 

 These twain are blent in one bright shining din." 



