HEAR how the nightingales, on every spray, Hail in wild notes the sweet return of May! The gale that o'er yon waving Almond blows, The verdant bank with silver blossoms strows, The smiling season decks each flowery glade, Be gay, too soon the flowers of spring will fade.

SIR WM. JONES.

THE hope, in dreams, of a happier hour That alights upon misery's brow, Springs out of the silvery Almond flower, That blooms on a leafless bough.

MOORE.

The Lesser Celandine.

Ranunculus Ficaria.

Class Polyandria. Order Polygynia.

THIS cheerful little plant, otherwise known as the Pilewort Crowfoot, spangles our marshes and hedge-rows in the beginning of April, with its star-like blossoms of burnished gold, which in bright sunshine fade to white.

"The first gilt thing

That wears the trembling pearls of spring." Dr. Sibthorp found it also common in Greece.

PANSIES, lilies, king-cups, daisies,
Let them live upon their praises;
Long as there's a sun that sets,
Primroses will have their glory;
Long as there are violets,

They will have a place in story:
There's a flower that shall be mine,
'T is the little Celandine.

Ere a leaf is on the bush,
In the time before the thrush
Has a thought about its nest,
Thou wilt come with half a call,
Spreading out thy glossy breast,
Like a careless prodigal

Telling tales about the sun

When there's little warmth, or none.

Comfort have thou of thy merit,
Kindly unassuming spirit!
Careless of thy neighbourhood,
Thou dost show thy pleasant face
On the moor, and in the wood;
And the thrifty cottager,

Who stirs little out of doors,

Joys to spy thee near her home,

Spring is coming, thou art come!

WORDSWORTH.

VERSES WRITTEN IN EARLY SPRING.

As in the wood where leathery lichens weave Their wintry web among the sallow leaves, Which, thro' cold months in whirling eddies blown, Decay beneath the branches once their own.

From the brown shelter of their foliage sear,
Spring the young blooms that lead the floral year,
When, waked by vernal suns, the Pilewort dares
Expand her clouded leaves, and shining stars.
And, veins empurpling all her blossoms pale,
Bends the soft wind-flower in the vernal gale,
Uncultured bells of azure jacinths blow,
And the breeze-scenting violet lurks below;
So views the Wanderer, with delighted eyes,
Reviving hopes from black despondence rise;
When, blighted by adversity's chill breath,
Those hopes had felt a temporary death;
Then with gay heart he looks to future hours,
When love and friendship deck the summer
bowers,

And, as delicious dreams enchant his mind,

Forgets his sorrows past, and gives them to the

The Mezereon.

Daphne Mezereum.

Class Octandria.

Order Monogynia.

THE beautiful crimson clustered blossoms of this shrub, nearly covering its sprays, which are afterwards crowned with spear-shaped leaves, cheer our gardens in early spring. In the last record of an accomplished mind, its scent has been thus preserved.

ON RECEIVING A BRANCH OF
MEZEREON,

WHICH FLOWERED AT WOODSTOCK, DECEMBER, 1803.

ODOURS of spring, my sense ye charm

With fragrance premature;

And, 'mid these days of dark alarm,
Almost to hope allure.