J COPY the notes of a few days' work 

 in the garden in May, just to give an 

 idea of their character and of the vari- 

 ety of occupation in this small space 

 of ground. 



May ii. This morning at four o'clock the 

 sky was one rich red blush in the east, over a sea 

 as calm as a mirror. How could I wait for the 

 sun to lift its scarlet rim above the dim sea-line 

 (though it rose punctually at forty-seven minutes 

 past four), when my precious flower beds were 

 waiting for me ! It was not possible, and I was 

 up and dressed before he had flooded the earth 

 with glory. " Straight was a path of gold for 

 him," I said, as I gazed out at the long line of 

 liquid splendor along the ocean. All the boxes 

 and baskets of the more delicate seedlings were 

 to be put out from my chamber window on flat 

 house-top and balcony, they and the forest of 

 Sweet Peas to be thoroughly watered, and the 

 Pansies half shaded with paper lest the sun 

 should work them woe. At five the household 

 was stirring, there was time to write a letter or 

 two, then came breakfast before six, and by half 

 past six I was out of doors at work in the vast 

 46 



