84 THE FERN PARADISE. 



with waving fern-fronds, rises up against the tall 

 and matted shrubs from the hedges which run to 

 meet it, and mingling its own wealth of green 

 twigs with the branches of a small oak on the 

 opposite side of the way, forms a delightful 

 canopy of quivering leaves, through which the 

 blue of the sky, and the fleecy white of the 

 passing clouds, can just be seen. 



Who could resist the temptation to wander into 

 such a bower as this ? for bower it seems. When, 

 however, you reach the hedge-bank that appears 

 to bar the way, your astonishment is great to 

 find that it is not a cul-de-sac which you have 

 entered ; for a turning to the left, so sharp as to 

 be unseen until you approach it closely, reveals 

 the most beautiful green and ferny lane which 

 it is possible for the imagination to conceive. Oh ! 

 the glorious wealth of waving green, wild flowers, 

 and fern-fronds, which the eye surveys, as it 

 delightedly wanders along the charming vista 

 which bursts upon you ! On your right and on 

 your left, just where the lane bends round, two 

 stately Brakes stand, as if placed there to guard 



