ban dweller who may enjoy the pleas- 

 ures of " lilac-tide," for in the public 

 parks in almost every city of the 

 Union are growing quantities of these 

 bushes. In Central Park, New York, 

 for many a year. May fifteenth has 

 seen the lilacs in bloom, or at least 

 showing tips of pale lavender amid 

 the tender and incomparable green, 

 which is the colour of its foliage in 

 early spring. While the bluebird is 

 the sweetest minstrel of those first 

 days when " Winter lingers in the lap 

 of Spring," the lilac is torchbearer 

 to Summer, as she waits for Spring 

 to glide away, before flinging from 

 her apron her treasures, — summer 

 roses, summer songs, and summer 

 showers. 



i6o 



