FLORA'S LEXICON. 43J| 



IRD-CHERRY. Primus Padus. Class 12, 

 ICOSANDRIA. Order : MONOGYNIA. The 

 bird-cherry is indigenous in most parts of 

 Europe ; it even opens its fragile flowers to 

 the nipping air of Russia and Siberia. It 

 abounds in the northern counties of Eng- 

 land, and is profusely scattered among the 

 woods, and on the borders of the mountain torrents of Scotland. 

 In these natural fastnesses, where it is more likely to escape the 

 stroke of the axe, it often rises to the height of fifteen feet from 

 a stem eighteen inches in diameter, and spreads its branches to 

 a considerable distance. 



HOPE. 



Time was, when shadowy eve 



Was dearer to my heart than smiling morn, 

 And than the lovely garlands Spring doth weave, 



The faded hues by pensive Autumn worn. 



'Twas in my youthful prime, 



When life itself put on the look of Spring ; 

 Ere Care, that ever tracks the steps of Time, 



Seem'd other than a visionary thing. 



Untouch'd by real grief, 



E'en from its own excess of joy, my heart 

 In fancied ills would oft times seek relief, 



And sport with Sorrow's yet unvenom'd dart. 



But now, when every sigh 



Is fraught, alas! with meaning full and deep; 

 When Hope resigns her seat to Memory, 



And leaves me o'er her vanish'd dreams to weep: 



Oh ! now I turn away 



From Autumn's sered wreaths to Spring's gay bloom ; 

 Those all too sadly mind me of decay, 



These bid sweet Hope once more her sway resume. 



ANON. 



