IT is May-day, and the earth is dressed in a fair 

 new garment of green ; the copious showers of the 

 day before yesterday, followed by yesterday's 

 brilliant sunshine and warm south wind, have 

 made the leaves rush forth with a sudden bound 

 from buds which hitherto have been so jealously 

 closed. To-day the bright sunshine pours out of 

 a cloudless sky upon a green world, which in its 

 vividness of colour seems to be gifted with the 

 lustrous transparency of the sky itself 



On such a day it were a shame to stay indoors 

 and see nothing bluer than foolscap nothing 

 greener than writing fluid ; besides, this morning 

 our rod fell from its bracket when no one was near. 

 The housemaid said it was a strong breeze through 

 the open window which dislodged it, but that is all 

 nonsense. It was the spirit of the spring which 

 moved it to protest against inaction on such a day. 

 We are not superstitious, but we dare not disregard 

 such a warning ; therefore let us take our trusty 

 rod in our hand, and wander forth to revel in the 

 sight of the blue sky and the green woods, so 

 delightful after the discomforts of a long and cruel 

 winter. 



