232 NATURAL APPEARANCES 



and months amid mountains of snow, he will soon 

 recover his tranquillity; and, while he stirs his fire, 

 or throws his cloak about him, reflect how much he 

 owes to Providence that he is not placed in Green- 

 land or Siberia." 



MARCH. 



" As yet the trembling year is unconfirm'd, 

 And winter oft at eve resumes the breeze, 

 Chills the pale morn, and bids his driving sleete 

 Deform the day." 



THE great operations of nature, during this month, 

 seem to be to dry up the superabundant moistf "e of 

 February, thereby preventing the roots and seeds 

 from rotting in the earth, and gradually to bring for- 

 ward the process of evolution in the swelling buds; 

 while, at the same time, by the wholesome severity 

 of chilling blasts, they are kept from a premature dis- 

 closure, which would expose their tender contents to 

 injury from the yet unsettled season. 



The winds of March, boisterous and vehement to 

 a proverb, are to be* regarded, however, as particu- 

 larly useful to vegetation ; for those years generally 

 prove most fruitful? in which the pleasing appearances 

 of spring are the most retarded. The importance of 

 a dry season for getting the seed early and favoura- 

 bly into the ground, is expressed in the old proverb: 



" A bushel of March dust is worth a king's ransom." 



