7 
SECT. I. 
PRAISE OF THE STUDY OF'BOTANY. 
f , 
The spleen is seldom felt where Flora reigns. 
CoWPEK. 
“ The tempests of Winter are past, then Spring advancing, her 
radiant brow encircled with a wreath of flowers, smiles upon the joyous 
earth. Her breath is sweet as the balmy breezes of the morning: her robe 
comprises the variegated colours of the rainbow; and her countenance is 
bright as the splendours with which Aurora decks the chambers of the 
east, when she opens the gates of the morning, before the chariot of the 
sun. Where’er she treads creation smiles: flowers start from under her feet, 
and all nature feels the renovating influence. Now, a thousand plants 
expand their radiant hues to the day, and throw to the soft air the most 
exquisite perfumes.”* 
44 Behold, the rigid winter's o'er, 
The brumal rains descend no more: 
Now all.around the teeming earth, 
Pours forth her fair luxuriant birth; 
* This beginning is an extract from the beautiful “ Fugitive Pieces, intended principally for the 
Use of Schools," by the Rev. Dr. Collyer. The reader will find each Season there most elegantly 
personified. 
C 
