several plants which flower at that time, are derived from it.

The arrival of the cuckoo is regularly preceded some days by that of the wryneck, a small bird, singular in its attitudes and plumage, and which has a peculiar note or cry, easily distinguished by those who have once heard it. Other birds, which are seen among us only in the warmer months, as the redstart, whitethroat, and yellow wagtail, appear in April.

A considerable number of plants flower this month, and, with the blossoms of fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, form a very agreeable spectacle, as well on account of their beauty, as of the promise they give of future benefits.

"Arabia cannot boast

A fuller gale of joy than, lib'ral, thence

Breathes thro' the sense, and takes the ravish'd soul.

Full of fresh verdure and unnumber'd flowers,

The negligence of Nature, wide and wild,

Where, undisguis'd by mimic art, she spreads
Unbounded beauty to the roving eye."

Reflections on Spring.

"Forth in the pleasing Spring

His beauty walks, His tenderness and love.
Wide flush the fields; the softening air is balm ;"
Echo the mountains round; the forest smiles;
And every sense, and every heart is joy."

What a wonderful revolution, indeed, in the universal aspect of Nature, does the return of this lovely

season exhibit! After having been long bound up with frost, or overspread with snow, the earth once more displays all her variety of plants and flowers, is arrayed with the most beautiful and enlivening verdure, variegated with a numberless variety of hues, and exhales odours so exquisitely pure and fragrant, that every sense of every creature is awake to inexpressible delight.

None of the other seasons can vie with spring in loveliness and amenity It has the same order among them that the morning has among the divisions of the day, and youth among the stages of life. It may be called the favourite season of harmony; for the warbling of the feathered tribes has been observed to have now a peculiar wildness and sweetness of melody. Nor is its sweet influence confined to the songsters of the groves: it pervades the whole animal creation.

Its Influence on Man.

In the opening of spring, and subsequent renovation of Nature, how very sensibly is the human soul exhilarated by that sense of pleasure which inspires the birds with melody, and the whole creation with joy. In this season, when we contemplate the smiling scenes around, those secret overflowings of gladness are diffused over the soul, which compose what Milton expressively calls "vernal delight," and which is often denominated, with no less beauty and propriety," the smile of nature." What an ex

quisite sense of this does the virtuous philosopher experience! The creation, particularly in this lovely season, is a perpetual feast to the mind of a good man. From all that he beholds, he receives instruction and delight Providence has adorned the whole creation with such a variety of beautiful and useful objects, that it is impossible for a mind, not imbruted by mere sensual enjoyments, to contemplate the scenes around, without some of the sweetest internal sensations of which man can be susceptible. But when, to the delightful satisfaction which rural objects afford, we add an occasional attention to the studies of natural philosophy, our relish for the beauties of the creation is quickened, and rendered not only pleasing to the imagination, but to the understanding; and it is an unquestionable truth, that the man who extends his inquiries into the works of nature, multiplies, in some degree, the inlets to happiness. The philosopher is not content with the lolling murmur of brooks, or the enlivening melody of birds, with the shade of embowing woods, the verdure of fields, or the embroidery of meadows will reflect, on the contrary, on the infinite variety of benevolent purposes to which they are all subservient, and the wonders of that Divine Wisdom, of which they all exhibit such impressions. While the pleasures of the eye, in course, are heightened, his soul is exalted to that rational admiration which insensibly leads to love and adoration; and, while he "walks superior amid the glad creation, musing

He

praise, and looking gratitude," with a kind of sacred ecstacy he exclaims:

"These are thy glorious works, Parent of Good,
Almighty! Thine this universal frame,

Thus wondrous fair: Thyself how wondrous then,
Unspeakable!"

While unusual sweetness thus inspires the whole creation with a purer joy, the moral philosopher is led to enquire into the natural effects of this delightful influence, not only on the frame, but on the heart of man. The affections, he is fond to imagine, are all attuned to benevolence, and each discordant passion soothed to serenity and peace.

With what a generous satisfaction, too, will humanity reflect on the restorative effects of spring! The convalescents, so lately wretched, so long oppressed by the heavy load of pain, and langour, and disease, now feel, as it were, a new creation; and sweet are the cheering sensations, sweet the unwonted joys, that now recall them to the exertions of strength, and the happiness of health.

MAY.

"Born in yon blaze of orient sky,
Sweet May, thy radiant form unfold;
Unclose thy blue, voluptuous eye,

And wave thy shadowy locks of gold.

Warm with new life thy glitt'ring throngs,
On quiv'ring fin and rustling wing,
Delighted join their votive songs,

And hail thee goddess of the Spring."

MAY has ever been the favourite month of poetic description, as uniting all the soft beauties of spring with the radiance of summer; but this must be in more southern climes than ours; for with us great part of the month is yet too cold for a perfect enjoyment of the charms of nature, and abounds with chilling blights and nipping winds:

"The blast that riots on the spring's increase."

The month of May, however, is profuse of beauty; the earth is now covered with the freshest green of. the grass and young corn, and adorned with numerous flowers opening on every side The trees put on their leafy verdure; the hedges are rich in fragrance from the snowy bloom of the hawthorn; and the orchards display their highest beauty in the delicate blush of the apple blossoms.

The leafing of trees is commonly completed in this month. It begins with the aquatie kinds, such as the willow, poplar, and alder, and ends with the oak, beech, and ash. These are sometimes very thin of foilage even at the close of May.

Birds hatch and rear their young principally during this month. The patience and assiduity of the female during the task of sitting upon her eggs, cannot be too much admired; nor should the conjugal