gather together such things is not only highly instructive, and an agreeable pursuit, through the prolonged and intelligent observation which it demands; it is useful also as feeding the pleasure of possession--a noble and worthy one when well directed; and it has the yet higher recommendation of providing a diary and immortal record of past pleasures. A volume of dried plants, gathered on occasions of memorable enjoyment, becomes in a few years inexpressibly precious, an aid to memory, and thus to the perpetuity of those enjoyments, which even pictures give less perfectly, for here we have the very things themselves that were handled and looked at during those bright and fleeting moments. Such a volume of memorial-plants now lies on the table before us, spreading before the mind the souvenirs of forty years. In another part of this little book will be found instructions as to the method of commencing such collections. Meanwhile, we have cordially to recommend the idea to our readers, especially the young, and invite them to accompany us in these rambles. [Illustration] Footnotes [1: _i.e._ since, in round numbers, about 1810.] [2: Father of Mr. Robert Crozier, president, since 1878, of the Manchester Academy of Fine Art.] [3: The two last-named now also deceased.] [4: In the _Flora Mancuniensis_, dictated by the Natural History Class of the Mechanics' Institution, then in Cooper-street.] [5: The "City Library," now in King-street.] [6: _i.e._ in 1843.] [Illustration] CHAPTER II. THE ASHLEY MEADOWS, AND THE LOWER BOLLIN VALLEY. SPRING VISIT. O Proserpina, For the flowers now that, frighted, thou let'st fall From Dis's wagon! Pale primroses That die unmarried, ere they can behold Bright Phoebus in his strength. SHAKSPEARE.