THE BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAY. 57 



the Hyacinth and Narcissus, we behold the Tulips begin to 

 raise themselves on their fine wands or stately stalks. They 

 flush the parterre with one of the gayest dresses that bloom- 

 ing Nature wears. Here one may behold the innocent 

 wantonness of beauty. Here she indulges a thousand freaks, 

 and sports herself in the most charming diversity of colours. 

 In a grove of Tulips, or a bed of Pinks, one perceives a 

 difference in almost every individual. Scarcely any two 

 are turned and tinted exactly alike. What colours, what 

 colours are here ! these so nobly bold, and those so deli- 

 cately languid! 



What a glow is enkindled in some ! what a gloss shines 

 upon others! With what a masterly skill is every one of 

 the varying tints disposed ! Here they seem to be thrown 

 on with an easy dash of security and freedom; there they 

 are adjusted by the nicest touches of art and accuracy. 

 Those colours which form the ground are always so judi- 

 ciously chosen, as to heighten the lustre of the superadded 

 figures; while the verdure of the impalement, or shadings 

 of the foliage, impart new liveliness to the whole. Fine, 

 inimitably tine, is the texture of the web on which these 

 shining treasures are displayed. What are the labours of 

 the Persian looms ; what all the gay attire which the shuttle 

 or the needle can furnish, compared with Nature's works? 

 One cannot forbear reflection in this place, on the too pre- 

 vailing humour of being fond and ostentatious of dress. 

 What an abject and mistaken ambition is this ! How un- 

 worthy the dignity of man, and the wisdom of rational 

 beings ! Especially since these little productions of the 

 earth have indisputably the pre-eminence in such outward 

 embellishments. 



"Bright tulips, we do know, 



Ye had y- nr coming hither, 

 And fading time doth show, 



That ye must quickly wither. 



