XXVI PREFACE. 



shows a more pleasant aspect and amiable dis- 

 position towards them than she does in this 

 country. 



The young and joyous spirit of spring sheds its 

 sweet influence upon every thing : the streams 

 sparkle and ripple in the noon-day sun, and the 

 birds carol tipseyly their merriest ditties. It is 

 surely the loveliest season of -the year ! Yet, hold ! 

 summer follows ; and how beautiful is summer ! 

 the trees are heavy with fruit and foliage ; the sun 

 is bright and cheering in the morning ; the shade 

 of broad and leafy boughs is refreshing at noon ; 

 and the calm breezes of the evening whisper gently 

 through the leaves, which reflect the liquid light 

 of the moon, when she is seen 



-" lifting her silver rim 



Above a cloud, and with a gradual swim 

 Coming into the blue with all her light." 



And autumn some will not hesitate to say that 

 spring itself must yield to russet autumn. Yet 

 one advantage has spring, in being the herald of 

 the year's ripe beauties ; whereas autumn is daily 

 warning us of the approach of the chill blasts of 

 winter ; and winter, it must be confessed, is the 



