84
PIBCORN OR HORN-PIPE 89
CORNETTS, SERPENT, BASS HORN, OPHICLEIDE, AND 91
KEYED BUGLE

_The above illustrations are all taken from_ "_Old English Instruments of
Music_," _by the kind permission of Canon Galpin_.

TO
F. C. C.

SPRINGTIME {1}

"Why, then comes in the sweet o' the year."

--_Autolycus' Song_.

Governesses used to tell us that the seasons of the year each consist of
three months, and of these March, April, and May make the springtime. I
should like to break the symmetry, and give February to spring, which
would then include February, March, April, and May. It has been said
that winter is but autumn "shyly shaking hands with spring." We will,
accordingly, make winter a short link of two months--an autumnal and a
vernal hand--December and January. It is a little sad for autumn to have
to make room for chill November alongside of the happier months of
September and October. But autumn is a season of decadence and cannot
justly complain.

The autumnal flowers, which may be allowed to figure as a prelude to
spring, are few in number. My favourite is lady's tresses
(_Spiranthes_), so called from the spiral twist in its inflorescence,
which suggests braided hair. _Gentiana amarella_ I should like to
include, but its flowering-time is from 12th August to 8th September, and
summer has the stronger claim on it. Other autumnal flowers are
laurustinus and ivy. If we go by the mean date nothing flowers in
October or November, and in December only the Christmas rose (_Helleborus
niger_) is recorded by Blomefield.

But the autumn months have a glory of their own which may vie with the
brightest hues of flowers. This great and beautiful panorama begins with
the yellowing of the lime-leaves, which may occur as early as 17th
August, but on the average is seen on 14th September. It is followed
towards the end of September by a brown tint, showing itself in the
leaves of the horse-chestnut. It is appropriate that these two species,
which are not indigenous, {2} should be the first to fade into glory.
But I must not insist on the point, for we see wych-elm leaves fall 24th
September, while the date for the common elm is 28th October; and the elm
is a forei