The earth, as it appears in England at this period, is well represented
in the “Mirror of the Months,” the pleasant reflex of the year referred
to in November. “The meadows are still green--almost as green as in the
spring--with the late-sprouted grass that the last rains have called up
since it has been fed off, and the cattle called home to enjoy their
winter fodder. The corn-fields, too, are bright with their delicate
sprinkling of young autumn-sown wheat; the ground about the hedge-rows,
and in the young copses, is still pleasant to look upon, from the
sobered green of the hardy primrose and violet, whose clumps of unfading
leaves brave the utmost rigour of the season; and every here and there a
bush of holly darts up its pyramid of shining leaves and brilliant
berries, from amidst the late wild and wandering, but now faded and
forlorn company of woodbines and eglantines, which have all the rest of
the year been exulting over and almost hiding it with their
quick-growing branches, and flaunting flowers. The evergreens, too, that
assist in forming the home enclosures, have altogether lost that sombre
hue which they have until lately worn--sombre in comparison with the
bright freshness of spring, and the splendid variety of autumn; and now,
that not a leaf is left around them, they look as gay by the contrast as
they lately looked grave.”
* * * * *