22 
RURAL HOURS. 
those large thoughtful eyes of theirs, we came to the conclusion 
that our o-wn Redbreast must be quite as caj^able of a good deed, 
as his European brother. At this season, we seldom pass the 
churchyard without finding robins there — they probably have 
many nests among the trees. 
Friday, 31st. — The garden hyacinths, and daffodils, and com- 
mon lilies are beginning to show their leaves in the flower-borders, 
and the periwinkle is almost in blossom ; this is one of the very 
earliest flowers to open wfith us. The blue hyacinths soon follow, 
though they will scarcely bloom yet this fortnight. The snow- 
drop seldom opens here before the middle or third week of 
April, i-emaining in flower until the tulips fade, early in June ; it 
would seem less hardy with us than in its native climate, for in 
England it blooms in February, and it has been found by M. de 
Candolle on the mountains of Switzerland with its flowers actually 
encased in snow and ice. 
One hears a great deal about the sudden outburst of spring in 
America, but in this part of the country, the earlier stages of the 
season are assuredly very slow, and for many weeks its progress 
is gradual. It is only later in the day, Avhen the buds are all 
full, and the flowers ready to open, that we see the sudden gush 
of life and joyousness, which is indeed at that moment, almost 
magical in its beautiful effects. But this later period is a brief 
one ; Ave have scarcely time to enjoy the sudden affluence of 
spring, ere she leaves us to make way for summer, and people 
exclaim at the shortness of the season in America. l\Ieanwhile, 
spring is with us in March, when Ave are yet sitting by the fire • 
side, and few heed her steps ; now she betrays her presence in 
the sky, now in the Avaters, Avith the returning birds, upon some 
