272 FROM A MIDDLESEX GARDEN 



Of the changed foliage there is none more beautiful 

 than the tapering leaves of the chestnut (Castanca Vesca)^ 

 and which linger on the trees till late, still perfectly formed, 

 and of bright gold. Here and there along the hedges we 

 espy, a long way ahead, little flames of red, which are seen to 

 be the changed foliage of the blackberry, and one almost 

 fancies them to be lights that burn for the burial of the wood- 

 land year. Beneath the hedge among the moss, grown very 

 green, the blood-red leaves of the herb robert lie close 

 pressed ; under the green furze-bushes St. John's wort turns 

 as bright a yellow as that which painted its Summer blossoms. 

 On the top of the trim-cut privet hedge surrounding the 

 garden a golden litter of leaves are laid, contrasting very 

 beautifully with the changeless green, and another thing of 

 note in the garden is the fire-thorn's clustered berries. And 

 as we walk among the last of Autumn leaves, countless little 

 circumstances the woodlander gathering the falling fagots, 

 the birds flying in flocks or feeding together in the meadows 

 tell us of 



" Stern Winter that needs preparing for." 



