306 fffte Barton's Storn. 



in the distance, or spring upon one unawares. 

 We should see more of this " natural wildness " 

 in places whose extent and natural features are 

 adapted to it, a source of far greater satisfaction 

 than the flaring General Grant geranium-beds 

 that often disturb the sense of repose. The 

 prim modern garden, too, almost always lacks a 

 pleasing feature of the ancient garden when 

 rightly carried out ; it has so few spots to lounge 

 in. There is a dearth of garden-seats, niches, 

 and benches, and vine-draped arbors and clois- 

 tered summer-houses. And where has the old 

 sun-dial disappeared, that used to count the time 

 so leisurely and shadow the passing hours ? 



The equinoctial has come and passed, shed- 

 ding a mild persistent rain instead of the frigid 

 down-pour it often brings. It cleared off with a 

 blazing fire in a cool western sky and a mellow 

 orange after-glow. A rarer, more exhilarating 

 air has followed in its train, through which the 

 first yellow streamers of the elms and birches 

 gleam like molten gold. There is a richer color 

 on the great hydrangea's plumes, a more satiny 

 whiteness in the chaste blossoms of the larger 

 anemone. A few days more, and the first white 

 frost will settle upon the lowlands a white mist 

 rather than a white frost, that must soon set its 

 blighting touch upon the flowers. If we might 



