6 MARCH. 



works of art cover and conceal its native magnificence, 

 and withdraw the mind from those poetic thoughts that 

 w^ould be awakened by an unsophisticated ocean-scene. 

 We must go forth upon the solitary shores, at a distance 

 from all artificial objects, and walk upon the high bluffs 

 that project far enough into the sea to afford sight of 

 a complete hemisphere of waters, to obtain a just idea 

 of a sea-prospect. When we look from the deck of a 

 sailing ship, where nothing on any side is to be seen but 

 the ocean, bounded by the circle that seems to divide the 

 dark blue of the waters from the more ethereal azure of 

 the skies, our sublime emotions are not modified by any 

 sensations of beauty ; but when this blue expanse of 

 waters divides the prospect equally with the landscape 

 that is spread out in a luxuriant variety of wood, plain, 

 and mountain, the emotions excited by the sublimity of 

 the scene are softened into repose by the beauty and 

 loveliness of the opposite prospect. 



But the sun is daily rising higher into the zenith. 

 The blustering winds are losing their force and are yield- 

 ing to the fate that awaits them inevitably after the win- 

 ter has passed away. The trees bow their heads less 

 lowly to the gales, standing more and more erect, as if 

 conscious that the time of their triumph is near, and that 

 the singing-birds are awaiting the opening of their flow- 

 ers and the unfolding of their leaves. The infant Spring 

 is fast becoming a maiden and a goddess, and the herbs 

 are preparing to weave garlands for her virgin brows, 

 daisies to spread at her feet, and ambrosial incense, such 

 as in heaven surrounds the presence of purity and holi- 

 ness, to gladden her coming. Let the winds rage, and the 

 clouds threaten ; we know tliat soon their anger will be 

 quelled by the genial sunshine of spring, as the tumults 

 in the human breast are tranquillized by the smiles of 

 innocence and beauty. 



