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Rh "How delightful," said she, "is nature in this sweet season of spring, when every object looks so fresh and green!"

"They seem truly to smile upon us," returned Sir Howard, "and are enchanting to the eye of taste. We have every reason to congratulate ourselves when no longer bending under the sway of hoary-headed winter—chilled as we are by his presence, trembling and shaking with his cold. I rejoice to bask in the genial ray of beauty," his eye, with expression, resting on Rosilia; "and never did I enjoy such happy sunshine more than now."

"The horizon is glowing," added she; "Phoebus never seemed to shine more brightly; nevertheless, the lawns, the valleys, the soft foliage of the trees, the cows and sheep as they peaceably graze in the rich meadow—even the humble primroses and violets which bloom along the banks as we pass them by—more particularly charm my attention, because all things of every kind, animate and inanimate, seem to be rejoicing in the early spring."

"To the refined and contemplative mind," said Sir Howard, "every observation is attended with delight and pleasure. Folly and ignorance stalk abroad, as if blindfold, unheeding the beauties scattered in profusion around them."

"It is much to be lamented," replied Rosilia,