A DEFENCE OF WASPS. 



" I love an honest thief." 



THE montli of Mars lias been unusually pacific, and "Our 

 Lady's Day" has brought us, in consequence, a thicker 

 sprinkling than usual of early spring flowers ; not yet, indeed, 

 profusely, but most impartially has Flora begun to scatter her 

 gifts, in earnest of future bounties. The speed-well by the 

 way -side already smiles encouragement to the traveller ; the 

 daisy (eye of day) looks up cheerily from the meadow ; the 

 wood-anemone peeps out gaily from the copse; the bare 

 blossom of the colts-foot, like a released captive eager for light 



