90 THE BEAUTIES OF APRIL AND MAY. 



ing tints disposed I Here they seem to be thrown on 

 with an easy dash of security and freedom ; there they 

 are adjusted by the nicest touches of art and accuracy. 

 Those colours which form the ground are always so 

 judiciously chosen, as to heighten the lustre of the 

 superadded figures ; while the verdure of the impale- 

 ment, or the shadings of the foliage, impart new 

 liveliness to the whole. Fine, inimitably fine, is the 

 texture of the web on which these shining treasures 

 are displayed. What are the labours of the Persian 

 looms ; what all the gay attire which the shuttle or 

 the needle can furnish, compared with nature s works ? 

 One cannot forbear reflecting in this place, on the too 

 prevailing humour of being fond and ostentatious of 

 dress. What an abject and mistaken ambition is this ! 

 How unworthy the dignity of man, and the wisdom 

 of rational beings ! Especially since these little pro- 

 ductions of the earth have indisputably the pre- 

 eminence in such outward embellishments. But we 

 had nearly forgotten the fragrant, the very fra- 

 grant wall and gilly-flowers ; some of these regale 

 us with their perfumes through various vicissitudes 

 and alterations of the season, while others make a 

 transient visit only. In favoured situations arises the 

 anemone, encircled at the bottom with a spreading 

 robe, and rounded at the top into a beautiful dome. 

 In its loosely-flowing mantle, you may observe a noble 

 negligence ; in its gently-bending tufts, the nicest 

 symmetry. This may be termed the fine gentleman 

 of the garden, because it seems to possess the means 

 of uniting simplicity with refinement, of reconciling 

 art and ease. The same month has the merit of pro- 



