246 DECEMBER. 



man's sight than similar rocks without this garniture. 

 All this may be partly attributed to the different asso- 

 ciations connected with the two, in our habitual trains 

 of thought; the one presenting to us the evidence of 

 antiquity, the other only the disagreeable idea of that 

 defacement so generally attendant on the progress of 

 pioneer settlements. Hence the lichens and mosses, 

 upon the surface of the rocks, have an expression which 

 has always been eagerly copied by the painter, and is as- 

 sociated with many romantic images, like the clambering 

 ivy upon the walls of an ancient ruined tower. 



At this season, when the greater part of the landscape 

 is either covered with snow, or with the seared and brown 

 herbage of winter, this vegetation of the rocks has a 

 singular interest. In summer the rocks are bald in their 

 appearance, while all around them is fresh and lively. 

 In winter, on the other hand, they are covered with a 

 pale verdure, interspersed with many brilliant colors, 

 while the surrounding surface is a comparative blank. 

 Some objects are intrinsically beautiful, others are beau- 

 tiful by suggestion, others again by contrast. This latter 

 principle causes many things to appear deliglitful to the 

 eye at one period, which at other times would, by com- 

 parison with brighter objects, seem dull and lifeless. 

 Hence on a winter's ramble, when there is no snow 

 upon the ground, our attention is fixed, not only upon 

 the lichens and evergreens, but likewise on the bright 

 purple glow that proceeds from every plat of living shrub- 

 bery which is spread out in the wild. This appearance 

 is beautiful by contrast with the dull sombre hues of tlie 

 surrounding faded herbage, and it is likewise strongly 

 suggestive of the life and vigor of Nature. It is the vivid 

 hue of health, and entirely unlike the hue of the same 

 plants if they were dead or dying. It is not necessary 

 that we should have meditated upon this sight, in order 



