THE DELIGHTS OF FAITH 23 



its nest on your premises. Through the eyes of Gilbert 

 White the keeper ol trie tiniest inclosure has his vision en- 

 larged beyond the lew beds and struggling bloom that he 

 calls his own. The insect kingdom, the bird world, the 

 passing clouds, are all part of the flower garden, with the 

 sun that daily stays "leaning on his staff, and looking 

 back over the world as a man might do at the last of his 

 journey." 



A few days of stiff winds dry off flooded places with 

 marvelous rapidity. One may venture to predict that, 

 following a fierce February and stormy early March, mild 

 weather will come apace. The head of the house, who 

 drives a nail straight, has probably finished making a 

 cold frame ; namely, a box with a window-frame top and 

 no bottom. The cold frame is set over a bed on the south 

 side, where the sun strikes it all day. 



The bulbs that have been kept away for Easter will 

 pick up under the glass. Bits of old matting and carpet 

 furnish a protection from the chill of stormy nights ; and 

 if the covers have been propped up during the day to let 

 in the fresh air and sunshine, the props should be taken 

 out before the penetrating chill of twilight comes and the 

 last sunshine has stolen away from the tree tops. While 

 earth sleeps outside, violets and narcissi will bloom under 

 the shelter. 



Awaking in the morning at the warble of early rising 

 birds, and hearing a distant bell toll six, while the 



