It  Tvas  the  season  of  the  year  when  the  bud  and  blos-
som of  early  spring,  so  often  delusive  in  its  beauty  be-
cause of  nipping  frosts,  gives  place  to  the  more  certain
promise  of  early  summer.  Tree  and  shrub  hung  thick
with  young  fruit ;  the  flowers  —  those  "  bright  mosaics  "
of  Kature  —  tessellated  her  floor  with  their  luxurious
bloom ;

"  The  happy  grass
"Was  sprinkled  wiih  the  o'er-blo\yn  leaves
Of  wild  white  roses."

The  waving  fields  of  grain  began  to  assume  that  golden
hue  which  invites  the  sickle.  The  sky  was  cloudless,
save  in  the  western  horizon,  where  the  orb  of  day,  now
near  its  setting,  approached  its  gorgeous  couch  of
purple  and  gold.  Clouds  piled  themselves  on  clouds
mountain  high,  now  assuming  the  appearance  of  a
many-towered  city,  and  then  flying  on  the  wings  of  the
evening  breeze  to  feed  the  imagination  of  the  beholder
by  rolling  themselves  into  other  and  more  fanciful
shapes,  whilst  the  prodigal  sun  lavished  upon  them
his  brightest  beams,  until  in  gratitude  they  reflected
back  the  glory  shed,  and  danced  and  glittered  in  the
borrowed  light.
It  was  a  scene  which,  if  witnessed  but  once  in  a  life-
time, would  fill  God's  creatures  with  awe  and  praise ;


OF  Tim  LATB  WAR.  15

but  becauso  "  lie  maketh  His  sun  to  shine  on  the  evil
and  on  the  good,"  because  lie  repeats  His  blessings  to
them  daily,  they  are  passed  by  unnoticed,  or  without
even  an  aspiration  of  thanksgiving.
