— 279 — 



I can recall among many pleasant day-dreams, an 

 hour spent on one of our Dominion Days care- 

 lessly floating over the calm bosom of Echo Bay, on 

 Lake St. Charles, in a birch canoe impelled by the 

 vigorous, embrowned arm of old Sioui, and gliding 

 noiseless under a sultry though serene sky, amidst the 

 yellow and white water-lilies through the narrows 

 towards the cool retreats of the speckled trout. No 

 sound, except the gentle ripple caused by our frail 

 canoe, blending with the warble of the hermit- thrush, 

 in the overhanging woods, or the occasional screech of 

 a Kingfisher, sitting meditatingly on a dry twig, or the 

 dismal moan of a loon floating over the rippling surface 

 of the placid waters. It was indeed the time to repeat 

 with Howitt : 



u 'Tis summer — joyous summer time ! 

 In noisy towns no more abide ; 

 The earth is full of radiant things, 

 Of gleaming flowers and glancing wings,' 

 Beauty and joy on every side." 



And such bright, glorious, golden lilies expanding 

 their corollas and floating to the surface, reminding you 

 of Felicia Heman's lilies. 



" beautiful thou art 

 Thou sculpture-like and stately river Queen, 

 Crowning the depths as with the light serene, 



Of a pure heart ! 



Bright Lily of the wave, 

 Kising with fearless grace with every swell, 

 Thou seem'st as if a spirit meekly brave 



Dwelt in thy cell." 



Ere we begin the enumeration of the most stricking 

 of our July Wild Flowers, let us again borrow from 

 Mr. Sturton. — " At no other period of the year is the 

 earth clothed with so rich a covering as in July ; every 

 mountain, meadow, bog, and piece of water, now teems 

 with beautiful flowers, and his heart must be cold 

 indeed that has never warmed with love for the Creator, 



