xxvi 



PREFACE. 



shows a more pleasant aspect and amiable dis- 

 position towards them than she does in this 

 country. 



The young and joyous spirit of spring sheds its 

 sweet influence upon every thing : the streams 

 sparkle and ripple in the noon-day sun, and the 

 birds carol tipseyly their merriest ditties. It is 

 surely the loveliest season of the year ! Yet, hold ! 

 summer follows ; and how beautiful is summer ! 

 the trees are heavy with fruit and foliage ; the sun 

 is bright and cheering in the morning ; the shade 

 of broad and leafy boughs is refreshing at noon ; 

 and the calm breezes of the evening whisper gently 

 through the leaves, which reflect the liquid light 

 of the moon, when she is seen 



lifting her silver rim 



Above a cloud, and with a gradual swim 

 Coming into the blue with all her light." 



And autumn — some will not hesitate to say that 

 spring itself must yield to russet autumn. Yet 

 one advantage has spring, in being the herald of 

 the year's ripe beauties ; whereas autumn is daily 

 warning us of the approach of the chill blasts of 

 winter ; and winter, it must be confessed, is the 



