FIRST ROSES AND FIRE-FLIES. 
115 
evergreens. The young seedling forest trees are now springing 
up everywhere, taking the place of the fading violets. On some 
of the httle beeches and aspens, the growth of one or two sea- 
sons, we found the new leaves colored in tender pink, or a shade 
of red, which is remarkable in trees which do not show any traces 
of this coloring at other times ; even in autumn their brightest 
tint is usually yellow. 
The fire-flies are gleaming about the village gardens this even- 
ing — the first we have seen this year. 
Tuesday, \2th . — Fine day. The roses are opening at length; 
they are a fortnight later than last year. This morning we were 
delighted to find a few May-roses in full bloom ; by evening, 
others will have unfolded — to-morrow, many more will have 
opened — and in a few days, the village gardens will be thronged 
with thousands of these noble flowers. 
How lavishly are the flowers scattered over the face of the 
earth ! One of the most perfect and delightful works of the 
Creation, there is yet no other form of beauty so very com- 
mon. Abounding in different climates, upon varying soils — not a 
few here to cheer the sad, a few there to reward the good — but 
countless in their throngs, infinite in their variety, the gift of 
measureless beneficence — wherever man may live, there grow the 
flowers. 
Wednesday, \Zth. — Pale, hazy sunshine. Heard of a dish of 
wild strawberries ; we have not yet seen them ourselves. 
Thursday, \ith . — The whip-poor-wills are now heard every 
evening, from some particular points on the skirts of the village. 
They arrive here about the first week in May, and continue their 
peculiar nocturnal note until toward the last of June ; “ most 
