A LITTLE WATERDROP 59 



world did but know more of some of Nature's 

 hidden secrets, how much better we should all be; 

 for, if we stop to inquire, there is much to look at 

 and learn even of the water-drop upon the Haw- 

 thorn twig. 



Was it the brilliant effect of the liquid gem alone 

 which made one stop and wonder and admire? 

 Did that little drop of melted hoar frost, which 

 was quickly returning to the air from which it had 

 recently been captured and riveted to the Haw- 

 thorn twig, happen to catch my eye only to remind 

 me of the world's loveliness and preach to me a 

 living sermon, or was it there to serve any other 

 purpose or proclaim any other message ? 



Let us approach the bush and examine the 

 various branches. Each twig is tenanted by 

 many water-drops, giving a necklace-like effect, as 

 of silver beads. We had first chanced to see, 

 owing to the distance, only one of the many little 

 liquid diamonds, and the particular one upon 

 which the sunlight was playing with such effect 

 attracted our chief attention. The others did 

 not portray the prismatic beauty of the one which 

 caught our line of sight, and which the sunshine 

 caressed in such a charming way. Now, having 

 come close to the bush, we find that it bears many 

 hundreds of the water-drops, each one having 

 anchored itself against a little notch, which, on 

 examination, reveals the spot from which the leaf 



