THE BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAY. 



S5 



the season derives its appellation. Next comes the 

 favourite month of the year in poetical description, 



MAY. 



" For thee, sweet month, the groves green liv'ries wear ; 



If not the first, the fairest in the year ; 



Thou dost afford us many pleasant hours, 



While Nature's ready pencil paints the flowers." 

 The pious Hervey, in his meditations on the flower 

 garden, has furnished us many sublime ideas respect- 

 ing the order, variety, and beauty of the flowery tribe. 

 It is in vain to attempt a catalogue of those amiable 

 gifts. There is an endless multiplicity in their cha- 

 racters, yet an invariable order in their approaches. 

 Every month, almost every week, has its peculiar 

 ornaments ; not servilely copying the works of its 

 predecessors, but forming, still forming, and still exe- 

 cuting, some new design : so lavish is the fancy, yet 

 so exact is the process of nature. Were all the flowery 

 tribe to exhibit themselves at one particular season, 

 there would be at once a promiscuous throng, and at 

 once a total privation. 



We should scarcely ha ve an opportunity of adverting 

 to the dainty qualities of half, and must soon lose the 

 agreeable company of them all. But now, since every 

 species has a separate post to occupy, and a distinct 

 interval for appearing, we can take a leisurely and 

 minute survey of each succeeding set. We can view 

 and review their forms ; enter into a more intimate 

 acquaintance with their charming accomplishments, 

 and receive all those pleasing sensations which thei 

 are calculated to yield. 



8 



