CHAPTEK XXXIX. 



EIDERS IN THE ROW. 



FTER a winter of unparalleled severity 

 and protracted duration, spring lias 

 passed away and midsummer arrived^ 

 without our experiencing one thoroughly 

 genial day. No wonder that an entire stop has 

 been put to the enjoyment of every description of 

 out-door amusement. Instead of ethereal mildness, 

 the once boasted accompaniment of spring, spring, 

 beautiful spring — read hail, rain, snow, frost, fog, 

 thunder, lightning; and in lieu of mirth and May- 

 poles — Macintoshes and melancholy. The meetings 

 of Epsom and Ascot were held under a cloud, and a 

 dense and dropping cloud too. Cricket, coaching, 

 lawn-tennis, polo matches, garden parties, picnics, 

 visits to Richmond, Hurlinghan, the lianelagh, and 

 Orleans Clubs have been effectually put a stop to 

 by the disastrous behaviour of the elements. Only 

 let there be a gathering of those on pleasure bent, 

 and " Then comes the Father of the Tempest forth, 

 wrapt in black glooms," and the multitude is dis- 

 persed by the persistent downpour that quickly puts 

 an end to all enjoyment. 



Consequent upon this stormy state of things, but 



