A MELLOW OCTOBER DAY 315 



iron rafters and girders below the roof. It was 

 wonderful to see this Swallow deftly swerve along 

 the building and successfully contrive to evade 

 coming into contact with any of the rafters. It 

 was much perturbed at finding itself a prisoner in 

 the building — having unwarily entered through 

 a doorway — but after affording much entertain- 

 ment, it eventually left the building, and was 

 able to pursue its airy flight to more advantage in 

 the spaciousness of the open air. 



VI. A MELLOW OCTOBER DAY 



As I write it is a mellow October day, one of 

 the most gorgeous of the many beautiful days 

 experienced by us during St. Martin's Summer. 



The Dandelion has taken a new lease of life! 

 See how the plant raises its stately head, and how 

 it is crowned at the summit with a capitulum of 

 golden florets fit for a King to wear. 'Tis a lowly 

 flower, but richly embossed and worthy of far 

 more attention than has been accorded to it. 

 That it possesses great beauty all those who have 

 an eye for the beautiful will agree, but has it any 

 other virtues? From the leaves excellent salad 

 may be made; from the flowers wine of great 

 medicinal properties is obtained; the roots when 

 dried and ground produce chicory. The English 

 word Dandelion is derived from the French words 



