In that case this beautiful display had, as the title to the picture hints, arisen from the ashes of a forest. A spark from a train had set fire to the wood, and had apparently destroyed every living thing in its course. But such is Nature that out of death sprang life. So it has been with the coppice here, and in the oakwood scene which preceded it. The cutting down and clearing of the wood has brought sun, air, and rain to the soil, and as a consequence have followed the Sheets of hyacinth That seem the heavens upbreaking thro' the earth. The drawing takes its name from the cuckoo whose note has arrested the children's attention. [Illustration: 36. THE OLD YEW TREE _From the Water-colour in the possession of the Artist._ Painted 1903.] The sad yew is seen Still with the black cloak round his ancient wrongs. WILLIAM ALLINGHAM. One of many that are dotted about the southern slopes of the Westerham Downs, and that, not only here but all along the line of the Pilgrims' Way, are regarded as having their origin in these devotees. The drawing was made in the early part of the present year, when the primroses and violets were out, but before there was anything else, save the blossom of the willow, to show that The spring comes slowly up this way, Slowly, slowly! To give the world high holiday. [Illustration: 37. THE HAWTHORN VALLEY, BROCKET _From the Water-colour in the possession of Lord Mount-Stephen._ Painted 1898.] It is somewhat remarkable that the most impressive flower-show that Nature presents to our notice, namely, when, as May passes into June, the whole countryside is decked with a bridal array of pure white, should have taken hold of but few of our poets. Shakespeare, of course, recognised it in lines which make one smile at the idea that they could ever have been composed by a town-bred poet:-- O what a life were this! How sweet, how lovely! Gives not the hawthorn-bush a sweeter shade To shepherds, looking on their silly sheep, Than doth a rich embroidered canopy To kings that fear their subjects' treachery. Another, in the person of Mrs. Allingham's husband, penned a sonnet upon it containing the following happy description:-- Cluster'd pearls upon a robe of green, And broideries of white bloom.