II. 



LEAVES FROM AN APRIL JOURNAL. 



It is now, in the first April days, and indeed all 

 through the month, curious and interesting to note 

 the gradual, almost insensible onward movement 

 and unfolding of the season. The green grass is 

 creeping everywhere ; first, along the streams and 

 lowlands, then sprinkling the russet hillsides and 

 uplands with living verdure. The buds swell as 

 the hour-hand moves, and the birds unerringly 

 govern their journey with the earth's revolution, 

 and fly up the curvature, keeping a certain distance 

 from the , retreating snow line, till they shall see it 

 enter its frigid fastness behind the Arctic Circle. 

 The red maples and elms are darker against the 

 sky, and the catkins of the willows and alders and 

 birches, in sunny places, are nearly ready to give to 

 the wind their fertilizing dust, so constant are they 

 and so eager to be on time, before the leaves come 

 to interpose, and the strong spring breezes subside. 



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