8o A WHITE-PAPER GARDEN 



The old front yards, then, were always 

 sheltered behind fences, and along these was 

 planted a fringing of large growing shrubs, 

 lilacs oftenest, whose bronze-green first leaves 

 give forth a scent as memorable as any the 

 plumy blossoms ever boasted ; syringas, as 

 they were called Philadelphus, as they are 

 listed ; Japan quince, flowery almond, straw- 

 berry bushes, spireas, snowberries, such things 

 as these. They did not form a proper hedge, 

 since after one had passed one's first years 

 it was easy to peep between them, or above 

 them into the yard beyond, but they served 

 the same purpose that a veil of lace does to a 

 lady's face : they softened the features and gave 

 a hint of reserve that was most attractive. 

 The choicest shrubs stood on either side of 

 the gate, and that barrier once passed the 

 visitor was in the full enjoyment of whatever 

 the season had to offer ; since the path to 

 the front door was bordered by the long beds 

 which have served as a text for this digression. 

 A list of the flowers seen in an afternoon 

 spent in paying visits in the old days would 

 have held the name of almost everything 

 which could endure the cold winters and 



