THE BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAY. 89 



But we now return to the garden. Before we have 

 time to explore nature's treasures, many disappear ; 

 amongst those we had almost forgotten the humble 

 daisy, which shrinks from the intense heat, and the 

 several varieties of primulas, or early spring flowers. 

 The various grades of polyanthus deserve a close in- 

 spection ; these, for a while, exhibit their sparkling 

 beauties, but, alack ! soon disappear. Scarcely have 

 we sustained this loss, but in comes the auricula, and 

 more than retrieves it. Arrayed she comes in a splen- 

 did variety of amiable forms, with an eye of crystal, 

 and garments of the most glossy satin. A very dis- 

 tinguished procession this ! The favourite care of the 

 florist, but these also soon disappear. Who could 

 forbear grieving at their departure, did not the various 

 sorts of bulbous flowers burst ther bands asunder, or 

 rather expand, so as to exhibit their fragrance and 

 beauty. While we reluctantly dispense with the 

 sweet perfumes of the hyacinth and narcissus, we 

 behold the tulips begin to raise themselves on their 

 line wands or stately stalks. They flush the parterre 

 with one of the gayest dresses that blooming nature 

 wears. Here one may behold the innocent wanton- 

 ness of beauty. Here she indulges a thousand freaks, 

 and sports herself in the most charming diversity of 

 colours. In a grove of tulips, or a bed of pinks, one 

 perceives a difference in almost every individual. 

 Scarcely any two are turned and tinted exactly alike. 

 What colours, what colours are here ! these so nobly 

 bold, and those so delicately languid. What a glow 

 is enkindled in some ! what a gloss shines upon others. 

 With what a masterly skill is every one of the vary- 



8* 



