JUNE 77 



require not only moisture at their roots, but also a 

 moist atmosphere above them. We may have also to 

 lament for the dwindled specimens of many of our 

 flowers, fruit, and vegetables ; but when we have said 

 all that, and said it as grumblingly as possible, there 

 surely is much in a hot dry season not to grumble at, 

 but to rejoice and be thankful for. It is something to 

 say, and it will be something to remember for many 

 years, that throughout all England we have been able 

 for three continuous months l to be out of doors 

 in our gardens and fields under perfectly cloudless 

 skies, with no fear of rain, with very little wind, and 

 even with so little dew, that in the early mornings 

 and in the late and long evenings the most delicate 

 might sit out and enjoy the abundance of flowers 

 (bright though short-lived), the rich scents of the pure 

 air, and the sounds of the birds and insects, to whom 

 the bright season seems to have brought a large addi- 

 tion of life and happiness. Nothing is absolutely 

 perfect in this world (according to our ideas), and 

 whatever the season may be there will be found some 

 occasion for grumbling. But the wise man's con- 

 clusion is the best, Omnia fecit pulchra in tempore suo. 



i Referring to 1893. 



