THE TRAILING ARBUTUS. 
47 
in near neighborhood under the faded covering. Perhaps half 
these sweet flowers lie closely shrouded in this way under the 
fallen foliage of the forest. After coming at length to the right 
ground, this afternoon, we were very successful ; they are in full 
season, and never were finer — large and very fragrant. Several 
bunches of those we gathered, were growing so prettily, that it 
seemed a pity to pull them ; some showing their fragrant heads 
among rich mosses, while others were hooded in large withered 
leaves of the oak, chestnut, and maple. The sun had dropped 
low while Ave were busy at our pleasant task, but we lingered a 
moment to look down upon the village as it lay in the valley 
below, the picture of cheerful quiet, and upon the lake, with sweet 
evening tints playing over the water ; and then descending the 
hill at a quick pace, we succeeded in reaching the village before 
the sun had quite set. 
Not a single squirrel-cup was seen on our path to-day, yet they 
abound in many places. 
Wednesday, 26th. — The young plants in the gardens are begin- 
ning to show in those beds which were made early ; peas, beets, 
&c., &c. The good people of the \allage are many of them busy 
now with their gardens, and pleasant, cheerful work it is. From 
the time of Adam down, it has always looked well to see man, or 
woman either, working in a garden. In a village, one sees the 
task going on regularly in all the little neighborhood, at the same 
moment. We thought of poor , who told his worthy 
mother he should like to live to see them make garden once more in 
the village — poor fellow, he has been in his grave these five weeks. 
Thursday, 21 th. — Long, pleasant walk. A humming-bird flew 
past us, the first we had seen. 
