FEBRUARY. 25 



land, in the latter part of May, after the sealing voyage is 

 closed, among other preparations for the cod-fishery, the 

 crews are sent into the woods to cut rinds. A rind is 

 the whole bark, for about five feet in length, of a young 

 fir, or spruce, which, (an incision all round at each end, and 

 a longitudinal division, having been made,) is at that season 

 easily stripped off: when pressed flat, they are used as a 

 covering for piles of fish in wet weather. A crew were thus 

 engaged one bright morning, after a light fall of snow j the 

 heat of the sun made the snow run in a continual dripping 

 from the trees ; and the little tomtits were hopping round 

 them, saying " sweet weather," in a tone that seemed to 

 indicate the highest enjoyment. One poor fellow, of a some- 

 what testy disposition, annoyed by the dripping, and almost 

 blinded by the perspiration running into his eyes, took it into 

 his head that the bird was taunting him with the peculiar 

 appropriateness of the weather to his occupation ; or perhaps 

 was vexed that the bird should show so much enjoyment at 

 what was to him so uncomfortable. However, he presently 

 flew into a violent passion, flung his little hatchet at the 

 tomtit, and pursued him in a rage from tree to tree, crying 

 " Sweet weather ! is it ? I'll tell ye what sort o' weather 

 'tis ; " and so on, till fairly exhausted with his silly exer- 

 tions, he returned somewhat crest-fallen, to his jeering com- 

 rades, leaving the bird to enjoy its own opinion respecting 

 the weather, or any other subject of its meditations. 



C. A particularly amiable disposition, which could find 

 sources of vexation in the bright sun of spring, and the song 

 of an innocent bird ! But perhaps there was some excuse. 



F. The clouds are gathering to windward, and from 

 their blackness I fear a snow-storm : we ha/1 better return 

 homeward. 



C. A few scattered flakes are already falling. 



F. It is a good opportunity to direct your attention to 



c 



