May and her blossoms. Even in pro- 

 saic America there are many persons 

 who lack the courage to be wedded in 

 May. It is unlucky, the saying runs, 

 and it needs the spell of June to re- 

 move the curse, and make the day go 

 merrily. 



To turn once more to Devon and 

 Cornwall, which have as many lucky 

 and unlucky flowers as Japan, hear 

 what makes a most unfortunate nose- 

 gay : a branch of blackthorn, a sprig 

 of hawthorn, a spray of lilac. Yet 

 what; a sweet and seemly bouquet 

 it would appear to eyes less versed 

 in lore. Blackthorn and hawthorn 

 when bunched together are said to 

 produce illness, but lilac is fatal to 

 love affairs. Its delicate colour, so be- 

 coming to a blooming cheek, and its 

 sweet perfume beside, will not make 

 it tolerated by an English lass as a 

 bunch for a buttonhole. 

 148 



