SPRING FLOWERS. 



" Bring flowers. 



They speak of hope to the fainting heart, 



With a voice of promise they come and part ; 



They sleep in dust through the winter hours, 



They break forth in glory ; bring flowers, bright flowers." 



Mrs, Hemans. 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



ESPECIALLY deserving of precedence amongst Spring Flowers 

 is the Primrose,* first or primal flower of the year, which at 

 any time after the winter solstice may be seen peeping forth 

 from many a sheltered bank, on the look-out, as it were, for 

 sunnier days, or else may be found snugly nestling in some 

 sheltered copse or hedgerow, blossoming unheeded, the herald 

 of approaching spring. Even in more rigorous seasons, when 

 the wintry blasts are severe and prolonged, this earliest flower 

 is found soon arousing from its winter sleep. Seldom indeed 

 does the first month of the year pass away without the echo- 

 ing cry through the dreary town, " Primroses, all a-growin', 

 all a-blowin' : buy my pretty primroses." And though it 

 is only when spring has come at last, and in good earnest, 



* Primula vulgaris Plate 4 B. 



