dunstan's tide. 141 



MAY 20. St. Bernardin of Sienna, c. a, d. 1444. 



St. Ethelbert, king of East Angles, 793. 



B, Yio, bishop of Chartres, 1115. 



Obs. St. Bernardin, a true disciple of St, Francis, was born at 

 Massa in 1380, of the family of the Albigeschi near Sienna, on the 

 Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. At seventeen years 

 old he enrolled himself in the confraternity of our Lady in the hos- 

 pital of Scala. Afterwards he took, the order of St. Francis at 

 Colombiere. He became notorious for the eloquence of his preach- 

 ing. He died on the 20th of May, 1444, and his body is kept in a 

 crystal shrine, inclosed in another of silver, in the church of his 

 order, that of the Observantine Friars of St. Francis, at Agiula. 



Horse Chesnut Aeschylus Hippocastanum full fl. 

 Yellow Azalea Azalea Pontica in full flower. 

 Red Azalea Azalea nudijiora in full flower. 



Horse Chesnut Trees, which begin to blow as early as May 7, 

 are now in full flower, and when planted in long rows have a very 

 grand appearance in blossom. 



Daisies are now still in their fullest flower, Dandelions in seed, 

 and the Crowfoots and Buttercups adorn the fields and meadows 

 with their golden yellow. Of all plants of spring the Daisy has 

 ever been perhaps the most general favourite. An old poet says, 



Of all the floures that grow in the mead, 



I love the best that floweret white and red 



Which maidens callen Daisie, that adorn 



Like Eyes of Day the green smooth summer's lawn ; 



Embleme of childish innocence, I see 



Again my youth and playmates all in thee. 



As merry lasses dancing on the green 



Tread down thy flower, which erst shall not be seen. 



But, trampled, wither to the Autumn's sun. 



And wane away when their short race is run, 



So my young life, by fleeting hours oppress'd. 



And worn by those that it hath most caress'd, 



Will close anon, when I no more shall be 



Noticed or thought upon, swete floure, than thee. 



O martyr'd virgine who has born thy name, 



Margaret, receive my vow, protect my fame, 



And, as the mede of faithfulness and love, 



Waft my worn spirit to the realms above. 



Par, Chau. 



