New England is known for its glorious autumns.

But spring’s no slouch either, as I was reminded once again yesterday (as though I needed reminding) on a brief visit to Boston. The trees were in full bloom: magnolias, cherries and apples, and the feathery dogwoods that look from afar like gossamer clouds. The bulbs, too—taxi-yellow daffodils, and tulips in a riot of colors.

But the most beautiful sight of all was the drive I took down Cambridge’s Brattle Street, dwelling-place of some of Harvard’s most illustrious profs, and other movers and shakers of the Cambridge world. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow used to be one of them; you can still visit his home there.

But that’s hardly the only grand mansion; Brattle street is filled with them—all different from each other, and nearly all displaying gardens with a spring beauty that seems almost paradisiacal.

Most unfortunately, I had no camera with me. Yeah, I know; mea culpa. So these stock photos of Boston in spring (courtesy of the Boston Globe, and minus the beautiful homes) will have to do.