42 MAY. 



marked progressing like the spring, and each 

 approaching to perfection, myself alone on the 

 decline, their youth contrasting my increasing 

 age. 



What in nature can surpass the golden blush 

 and purple-tinted hue of an evening in May ; the 

 hawthorn-scented lawn, and lily-clustered path I 

 To wander gently through some quiet hamlet 

 near the brook, and then to observe a flicker- 

 ing light, darkly illumine some poor humble 

 shop, where all the articles that want, or village 

 pride can wish, are in their best allurements 

 set forth, a motley group. Here let me pause, 

 and place this modest, unambitious house in con- 

 trast with our town depot. Can I with patience 

 view such artificial life, and gaze as coolly on 

 the real ? Yet by these means the world wags on 

 —the industrious are employed, the ingenious 

 rewarded, the nation's commerce fed, and life 

 whirls on in heedless mazy round, all fancy- 

 ing they are happy in their sphere, but none 

 conscious save those who see and prove its 



