61 THE BEAUTIES OF APKIL AND MAT. 



curious cup, or fall into a set of beautiful bells. Others spread 

 themselves in a swelling tuft, or crowd into a delicious 

 cluster. In some the predominant stain softens by the 

 gentlest diminutions, till it has even stolen away from itsel£ 

 The eye is amused at the agreeable delusion, and we wonder 

 to find ourselves insensibly decoyed into quite a different 

 lustre. In others one would think the fine tinges were 

 emulous of pre-eminence ; disdaining to mingle, they con- 

 front one another with the resolution of rivals, determined 

 to dispute the prize of beauty; while each is improved, by the 

 opposition, into the highest vivacity of complexion. 



"Mrs. Preony came in quite late in a heat, 



With the Ice-plant, dew-spangled from forehead to feet ; 



Lobelia, attired like a queen in her pride, 



And Dahlias, with trimmings new furbish'd and dyed, 



And the Blue-bells, and Hare-bells in simple array, 



With all their Scotch cousins from highland and brae, 



Ragged Ladies and Marigolds clustered together, 



And gossip'd of scandal, the news, and the weather ; 



What dresses were worn at the wedding so fine 



Of sharp Mrs, Thistle, and sweet Columbine." 



6 



