12 TIMES AND SEASONS. 



Latrobe has depicted the aspect of the same season 

 in the Alps, which may be compared with the Ameri- 

 can : — 



" On my arrival [at Neiifchatel at the beginning of 

 November], the vintage was over, and the vineyards, 

 lately the scene of so much life and gaiety, now lay brown 

 and unsightly upon the flanks of the mountain and bor- 

 der of the lake. The forest trees in the neighbourhood 

 of the town, and the brushwood on the wide and steep 

 acclivity of the Chaumont, were still decked in that splen- 

 did but transient Hvery which one frosty night's keen 

 and motionless breath, or a few hours' tempest, must 

 strew on the earth. 



" There is something strangely moving in the few last 

 short and tranquil days of autumn, as they often inter- 

 vene between a period of tempestuous weather and the 

 commencement of the frosts. The face of nature is still 

 sunny, and bright and beautiful ; the forest still yields its 

 shade, and the sun glistens warm and clear upon the 

 flower and stained leaf. 



" Then there is the gorgeous autumnal sunset closing 

 the short day ; and in this land of the lake and mountain 

 it is indeed a scene of enchantment. There is the rich 

 tinge of the broad red sun stealinsf over and blendinoj the 

 thousand hues of the hill and forest, and the flood of 

 glory upon the sky above and lake beneath, while the 

 snows of the Alps are glowing like molten ore. I see it 

 still, and it warms my heart's blood. 



" A few more days, and then rises the blast, howling 



