LETTER XXI 



Spring Frosts Return of Winter Crocuses pushed out of the 

 Ground Professor Ruskin's aversion to Gathering Flowers 

 New Kitten Light in Cat's Eyes Same effect in Child's 

 Eyes Theory as to cause Morality in the country Love 

 Children Lovelock Rustic Manners Holly Leaves Ivy 

 Leaves Trouble with Picture. 



tfh March 1889. 



DEAR MARCO I began a letter to you 

 some four weeks ago, but it is not worth 

 sending ; it spoke of the lovely mildness of 

 the weather, and how the spring flowers were 

 all coming into bloom, and now as you know 

 the old Candlemas saying has come true. 

 My poor crocuses are sadly put to it, the sun 

 tempting them out by day, whilst the. frost 

 smites them down by night. Everything has 

 been in a wretched condition of blighted 

 existence for the last ten days. 



Crocus bulbs have an awkward way of 



