- 



2i 8 FROM A MIDDLESEX GARDEN 



and leaf, and even the ferns retain their refreshing green 

 appearance. 



I love the Autumn garden in the sharp, bright morning, 

 when sunlit lawns, still dewy, lie patched with grey and 

 silver. In the border, by the pathside, full-blossomed stocks, 

 lilac and puce-coloured, stand sturdily above the mould. At 

 breast height, over its mass of rich, green leafage, the dahlia 

 shows a crimson face to the sun, and in the brilliant air, 

 uncertain, intermittently flutter the wings of the last butter- 

 fly. How beautifully painted are the following lines from 

 William Morris's " Earthly Paradise " 



" It was Autumn, when the sun 

 Brightened the parting year so nearly done, 

 With rays as hot as any June might shed 

 Dawn past an hour, upon the tulip-bed, 

 In the great pleasance, 'neath a wall of yew. 



A thin-leaved apple tree, where, red as blood, 

 Yellow as gold, a little fruit hung yet, 

 The last rays of the fainting sun to get ; 

 And a tall clump of Autumn flowers cold-grey 

 Beneath it, mocked the promise of the day, 

 And to them claspt, a hapless bee or twain ; 

 A butterfly spread languid wings in vain 

 Unto the sun that scarce could warm her now." 



