This is a composition about “spring” written by Josephine Park Cranston
Spring
Hail, lovely spring with all thy loveliness! winter has now passed away, and delightful spring has once more made its appearance; The streams that have been clasped in the icy chains of winter are now set free, and the ground is sending forth its carpet of green, which will in a short time be ornamented with various flowers. The trees are putting fourth their leaves and soon the forrests will be filled with pretty flowers The birds are hopping from bough to bough, and those that have been visiting the warmer climes during the winter are now returning to choose their mates and seek some secret place to build their nests; then how delightful it will be to go into the woods and see them so buisily engaged in bringing hay and moss, to line their nests to keep their young brood warm, singing all the time they seem to be so happy in thinking of the joys to come; and sweeter still it will be to sit under some green tree, and hear the woods resound with the notes of both old and young joined togather in singing praises to their maker. The innocent sheepe too that have been shut up all winter are now rejoicing that they can jump and frisk about over the green fields. every thing seems to be enjoying the presence of spring! then ought not we to rejoice that we have the pleasure of a visit from spring? I think we aught, for it is to me one of the most pleasant seasons in the year. in some countries they never have spring or summer nothing but cold winter and there it is much colder than any days we ever have. If the farmer expects fruit in autumn he prepares the soil and sows the seede in spring so it is with us if we wish to be good and wise in old age we must improve our time in youth for the habits which we form now will accompany us through life ~
Composition No. 3rd
Josephine P. Cranston
A couple of transcription notes: the document is marked with a circled “D” in the bottom-right corner (an archive/index label). Josephine’s period spellings and slips are kept as written — “fourth” for “forth,” “forrests,” “buisily,” “togather,” “sheepe,” “aught” for “ought,” “seede.” The closing flourish “~” after “through life” is hers.
