FEBETJAKY. 81 



sternly appear in the distance like frowning friends, 

 keeping far off while the mists of adversity are about 

 us cold as the snow upon their sides. And yet 

 when summer smiles upon us, and we shall have 

 earned the flowers we bear, these distant friends will 

 then "approach to pluck and seize the product of our 

 toil they will scent us out tlien ! Cold comfort must 

 be now our lot, for such is even floral life ; but in a 

 stormy sky not the less beautiful are the little but 

 distant inlets of deep blue sky, that tell of tranquillity 

 beyond the clouds, and of sweet enjoyment when the 

 lowering vapours have passed away. 



