is another, the smallest Forget-me-not, with small, but bright blue flowers. 8. Primroses--how many a hedge-bank and burn-side is made gay with these "earliest nurslings of the spring!" They have been blooming sparingly on sheltered banks, perhaps for weeks, but now the thick tufts of their blossoms give real evidence that spring is come at last. Companions of the primrose "Gleaming like amethysts in the dewy moss," the sweet-scented Violets, the most welcome flowers perhaps of an English spring, are now scattered in lavish profusion. 9. The welcome flowers are blossoming, In joyous troops revealed; They lift their dewy buds and bells They lurk in every sunless path 10. They sport with every playful wind From the green marge of lake and stream, They look in gentle glory forth, The pure sweet flowers of God. Questions on the lesson:-What is said of the number of the flowers of April? What four pioneer flowers are named? How may the cuckoo-flower be discovered? What white flower is seen on the hedgerows? Which flower is described as a jewel among field flowers? What other flowers are mentioned? Where are they found? What is said of each? conspicuous, easily seen. delusive, deceptive. keen, sharp. notched, cut into. petal, the leaf of a flower. pioneer, one who goes before to prepare the way. profusion, abundance. sloe, the blackthorn, its fruit is MAY DAY. 1. While from the purpling east departs Blithe Flora from her couch upstarts, 2. A quickening hope, a freshening glee, Foreran the expected power, Whose first-drawn breath, from bush and tree, 3. All Nature welcomes Her whose sway, 4. While mellow warble, sprightly trill, 'And hums the balmy air to still The balance of delight. 5. Time was, blest Power! when youths and maids peep of dawn would rise, At And wander forth, in forest glades Thy birth to solemnise! 6. Though mute the song-to grace the rite Thy spirit triumphs o'er the slight: 7. Thy feathered lieges bill and wings Warmed by thy influence, creeping things 8. Queen art thou still for each gay plant 9. And if, on this thy natal morn, 10. Still from the village green a vow 11. Yes! where love nestles thou canst teach Hearts also shall thy lessons reach 12. Stript is the haughty one of pride, 13. Hush, feeble lyre! weak words refuse To yon exulting thrush the Muse 14. His voice shall chant in accents clear, Till the first silver star appear, The sovereignty of May. Wordsworth. Queen of the May. Formerly it was usual on the morning of the first of May for the young people to go out early into the country and gather flowers and hawthorn branches. They brought them home about sunrise, and decorated the doors and windows in the village with them. The fairest maid of the village also was crowned with flowers as the "Queen of the May.' She was placed in a bower made of flowers, near the May-pole, round which they danced nearly the whole day. aspire, to breathe after. disport, to move in gaiety or sport. Flora, goddess of flowers. forlorn, forsaken. lieges, subjects. lustre, brightness. mellow, soft, ripe. mysterious, obscure, secret. quickening, life-giving. sprightly, airy, full of life. sway, influence, government. tremulous, trembling, shaking. WHY AN APPLE FALLS. 1. "I have somewhere read," said Willie, "that Sir Isaac Newton was led to make some of his great discoveries by seeing an apple fall from a tree. But I do not see anything wonderful in the fall of an apple. not an apple fall when its stem is broken?" Why should "Let me ask you in return," said Uncle John, "if you see any reason why an apple should fall when its stem is broken? Can you tell why anything falls to the ground?" 2. "I suppose an apple falls from a tree when its stem is broken," said Willie, "because-because-there is nothing to hold it up any longer. It is forced to fall. cannot help it." It "Just so, just so," said Uncle John; "it is forced to fall. It cannot help it. But what is it that forces the apple to fall? Do you think the apple has any power to move itself?" 3. Willie thought a while, and then said that he did not suppose the apple could move itself. "But I should like to know," said he, "what makes it fall." "That is the very question that Newton asked himself," said Uncle John. "And when he could answer that question he could answer a great many more questions that had long puzzled all the philosophers before him." 4. "But I do not see yet what makes the apple fall," said Willie. "There must be something that pulls it down to the earth.” "Just so, just so," said Uncle John. "The earth pulls the apple to it." 5. "But I do not see the earth pull it," said Willie; "and I do not see how the earth can pull it." |