^Ji: 100 



ON MOUNTAINS. 



There are a thousand natural objects on the surface 

 of our earth, which afford pleasure to the eye, and 

 delioht to the senses, but none in a greater degree 

 than the contemplation of a lofty and magnificent 

 mountain. The enthusiastic young artist ascends 

 the mountain ravine, or climbs its rugged precipice ; 

 in order to pourtray the mimic landscape beneath ; 

 or else to paint all the beauties of the mountain 

 gorge, with its brawling brook, its rough grey rocks, 

 hanging woods, and sylvan scenery. The Devotee 

 retires to mountainous regions to select the cave, or 

 construct the hermitage, in which he may muse on 

 the follies of a sinful world : here he is sure to enjoy 

 Nature in her most engaging attire: he may ** woo 

 lone quiet in her silent walks," and at the same time 

 inspire his votaries with awful reverence ; for super- 

 stition has, in all ages, assigned the holy men — and 

 supernatural beings, a lofty and mountainous resi- 

 dence. The Natural Philosopher is governed by 

 wider views : he knows that mountains are the 

 sources of a thousand blessings; their elevated and 

 cold peaks condense the vapours floating in the air : 

 it is here where magazines of cold and moisture are 

 stored, and give rise to springs which trickle down 

 the mountain sides, watering the woods and flowery 

 fields. All the rivers of the earth are the offspring 

 of high and mountainous regions, the largest and 

 longest rising in the most elevated parts. By the 

 length of a river's course the geographer is enabled 

 to estimate the elevation of its source above the 

 level of the ocean. 



Mountains not only modify the temperature of the 

 air passing over them, but without mountains the 

 earth would be unfit for its present inhabitants. 

 There are extensive plains, such as the Sahara of 

 Africa ; the central deserts of Asia, and the Pampas 

 of America, that are almost barren and desolate for 

 want of mountains to condense vapours and water 



