104 THE BIRDS OF TERRICK HOUSE, 



But liai'k ! what sweet murmuring sound is borne upon tlie breeze ? now 

 scarcely audible ; now falling upon the ear distinct and clear ; now dying 

 away in softest cadence ; now again swelling and becoming louder, fuller, 

 and more distinguishable ; and again sinking into a sweet and subdued 

 murmur. From Avhence comes this sweet harmony? Proceeds it from a 

 choir of angels in yon distant Heaven ? Nay ! but from a choir of beings 

 less exalted, but not less innocent ; from beings occupied like the heavenly 

 host, in chaunting hymns of gi-atitude and praise to the Great Author of 

 their existence ; from a flock of Linnets stationed on the tops of yon tall 

 trees, does this charming chorus proceed. Happy in themselves, they diifuse 

 happiness and enjoyment around them. Who can listen to their sweetly 

 soothing melody, and not be touched with feelings of the liveliest gratitude 

 to their Creator and ours, for having made them to solace us with their 

 music ; to delight us with their beauty and vivacity, and to benefit us by . 

 their services. ' Innocent creatures ! Would that none could be found to 

 harm ye. Would that man could clearly perceive, that in becoming your 

 enemy, he becomes an enemy to himself That in plotting your destruction, 

 he is plotting against his own happiness and comfort, and contriving to 

 lessen the sources of enjoyment with which a gracious God has blest him. 

 But the curtain falls. 



And when it again rises, the scene has changed. An interval of a few 

 weeks has elapsed, and the gorgeous beauties, upon which we lately gazed, 

 have passed away. A north-east wind is now howling among the naked 

 branches ; — those same branches which we lately beheld clothed in the ut- 

 most splendour and magnificence; upon which, hues, bright as the gold of 

 California, lately shone. The snow has been diifting throughout the night, 

 and has now covered the surface of the earth. Vegetation lies securely hid 

 — wrapjjed up and protected by this beautifully-contrived covering, from the 

 severity of the frost which accompanies, or which is immediately to follow 

 this storm. But for this protecting mantle, what dire havoc might not the 

 frost create among our more tender plants ; nay, even the more hardy ones 

 would greatly suffer ; and our wheat plant, that inestimable boon from Avhich 

 — it need not be told — bread, " the staff of life," the staple article of food in 

 all civilized countries is derived, would at times be in imminent danger of 

 perishing. Thus do we invariably find, that in every dispensation of Provi- 

 dence, judgments ai'e tempered with mercy. Winter is approaching with 

 rapid strides. The temperature has fallen ; the cold is increasing. Where 

 are now the merry songsters, whose harmony lately cheei'ed and delighted 

 us ? They are still in flocks ; but not now sitting calmly upon the tops of 

 tall trees, and pouring forth their glad hymns of praise ; not now preening 

 their feathers, arranging their plumage, and sunning themselves in the full- 

 ness of enjoyment; but moving hurriedly to and fro in search of food and 

 shelter. 



