CHAPTER X. 



THE HEART'S-EASE. 



When viewed upon a grand scale, and from a 

 commanding station, how beautiful are the tints of 

 Autumn ! We look abroad, over hill and plain, 

 interspread with grove and shrubbery, and the 

 hedge-row that forms so remarkable a characteris- 

 tic in our national scenery, and endless appears 

 the diversity of rich and mellow tint, which by its 

 loveliness half reconciles us to the legible symp- 

 tom of speedy desolation. He who has willed 

 the frequent changes that bereave us of our choic- 

 est possessions, has not failed to soften that 

 bereavement with many tender touches of a hand 

 that loves to pour balm into every wound it sees 

 needful to make. Even in the material world, we 

 trace the workings of this divine compassion ; and 

 while shrinking from that dreary winter of which 

 they are the infallible precursors, we still are com- 

 pelled to greet the dying hues of autumn as among 

 the most welcome spectacles that can gratify the 



eye of taste. 



11* 



