giving sun, away rush whole torrents of scholars; and, confined no longer to their usual banks, they overspread the country. Among these a brother and sister arrived within the precincts of our flowery, fruitful garden. Scarcely had they reached it half an hour, before its walks were trod seventeen times round, at least; its bounds explored; and, I had almost said, its very flowers numbered. Our young visitors are shocked at the woeful condition of the charming place. This must not be. To-morrow-(an appointment is made)-to-morrow

the

the whole shall be reformed: the red gravel shall shew itself in all its lustre; the mould in all its cheerful blackness; the favoured plants in all their regu larity,

By four o'clock, accordingly, the gardeners arise, and go eagerly to work. It were a task far above my crude composition to sing the havock of the morn; there, purple thistles fall, and, in their wide ruin, involve plants of less aspiring growth; there, torn by the roots, lay mallows, feathered, groundsel, shepherd's purse with its heart-shaped pods, white orchis, golden dandelion,

and a hundred more, that had

not even the honor of being obWhat time the sun

served.

beams peeped over the garden wall, the feat was half accomplished; and, 'ere long, the whole appeared a withering heap. Meanwhile, some favorites of fortune, stocks, pinks and tulips, survive the wrecksave here and there one, who falls a victim to the hasty zeal with which his wild companion are overthrown.

It was now, as fable says, that the plants which were preserved looked with disdainful eye upon those that were cut down: "Behold

"Behold," said they, these worthless weeds! Mark, with what care we garden-flowers are kept! These are cast upon the dunghill, these are trodden under foot, while are preserved with solicitude. See the end of their existence!" The hapless wild-flowers, with modest dignity, replied: " Do

we

not believe our existence destroyed; nor, that existence worthless. Some whom you now insult have still their roots or seeds remaining: these the dew of heaven will rear again in vigour. We leave to you the nicely levelled garden without

regret: blossom you to gratify the wealthy; breathe your odours to please the serene and happy be it ours, beside the public path, and on the solitary waste, to bless the senses of the weary, and to cheer the sorrowful; to us let disease repair for renovated health; to us the sweet-warbling birds for sustenance. Farewell, vain plants! for let the inconstant hand you of man provide a station: to prosper us, the sun, the rain, the winds, unite! The favours of man varies; but the gifts of nature are eternal!"

CHAP