84 STRA V FEA THERS FROM MANY BIRDS. 



next year there will be new ones in their place as 

 fragrant and as fair. And so it is with all things. If 

 they as individuals must pass away, the chain of their 

 life remains unbroken, for there is as much immortality 

 even in the life which animates yonder painted snail, 

 clinging to the fern fronds, as in such highly organised 

 beings as you or I ! 



" God of the Granite and the Rose ! 



Soul of the Sparrow and the Bee ! 

 The mighty tide of Being flows 



Through countless channels, Lord, from Thee. 

 It leaps to life in grass ?.nd flowers, 



Through every grade of being runs, 

 While from Creation's radiant towers 



Its glory flames in Stars and Suns." 



But our musings and our reverie on the moss-and 

 fern-grown bank are disturbed by the merry conver- 

 sation of the farm labourers, as they pass along the 

 white dusty road towards their cottages amongst the 

 trees in the hollow. Evening is at hand. Already the 

 trees cast long shadows half way across the fields, and 

 the sun is slowly settling down through a sea of golden 

 light in the distant west. The Larks are dropping down 

 to sleep amongst the big pink knobs of clover, and the 

 Swallows and Martins are taking a last flight over the 

 fields ere seeking their nests. Once more the Land-rails 

 begin their rasping cry as they wander through the 

 herbage ; and the little Whinchats hop about the palings 

 in quest of insects. The concert of the woods and fields 



