NATURE IN APRIL. 

 II. 



Now that March winds have passed we may look forward 

 in joy and hope for April showers, which we were taught in our 

 childhood bring forth May flowers. 



It has always struck me that this old adage is somewhat of 

 a slight upon the March Violets, for does not the sweet-smelling 

 White Violet, which one stoops to take from its nest of moss 

 under the hawthorn hedge or on the grass-covered bank, give 

 the keenest thrill of pleasure after all ? It is emblematical of the 

 approach of Spring, a pleasing notification that Eastertide is 

 not a great way off, that our Summer visitors are already winging 

 their way to the land of the free-born. Therefore, we should 

 hail with delight the appearance of March Violets, and not pass 

 them by unheeded. 



But Nature as it appears in April now claims our attention 

 for a while. Stevenson says, "The world is so full of a number 

 of things, I am sure we should all be as happy as Kings," and 

 Stevenson is right. It is these little things which can make 

 us happy that are too generally overlooked in these days of 

 unutterable intensity. 



What could be more pleasing than rural surroundings after 

 the warm, refreshing April showers? Every blade of grass is 

 decked with some sparkling gem; the hedgerows glisten as if 

 delighted at the celebration of another Natal day; the birds 

 warble their anthems of praise more delicately and sweetly; 

 the Primroses, Cowslips and budding Hyacinths appear to 

 speak to us as if to say they appreciate the food which the 

 showers afford them. 



The Chiff Chaff has made its appearance amongst us. By the 

 wooded coppice, in the gardens, or down the leafy lane, the 

 attentive listener may now hear the welcome, but somewhat 

 monotonous, notes of this diminutive bird. 



