Leaves from a Madeira Garden 



of wild flowers which in Alpine countries suc- 

 ceeds the melting of the snow, when all the 

 little becks are coming down in flood, and the 

 snow still lingers in patches among the topmost 

 fir-trees. One spring delight we may indeed 

 enjoy ; the flowering of some of the fruit trees, 

 especially the peach, is magnificent. They have 

 had the good sense to retain their due seasons 

 of flowers and fruit. 



Roses we have had always with us, but since 

 December not in such a glorious profusion as 

 now. An arch clothed with Marechal Niel, 

 hano-in^ its delicate blooms in hundreds is a 

 very beautiful sight. "William Allen Richardson 

 has risen from a well-earned repose to cover a 

 long pergola with buds of a richer and deeper 

 hue. The single white le-vigata is sprinkling 

 our fences with discs of snow-white purity ; 

 Reine Marie Henriette queens it among her 

 rivals ; in velvety richness Bardou Job asserts 

 an unquestioned pre-eminence. April is here 

 certainly 



" the month of leaves and roses, 

 When pleasant sights salute the eyes 

 And pleasant smells the noses." 



Three very beautiful species of Bignonia are 



266 



