THE BEAUTIFUL IN NATURE. 



perfection and finish. Indeed, it seems as though the Creator had purposely 

 drawn a veil between the common eye and some of the finest specimens of his 

 handiwork, in order to surprise, and stimulate the investigations of science. 



In the mineral kingdom, there are not only the precious and useful metals, but 

 also beautiful gems. Those most useful often appear in pleasing forms and com- 

 binations. Here are the diamond, sapphire, emerald, topaz, ruby, and other pre- 

 cious stones, which, under the hand of the lapidary, reveal the most excpiisite tints 

 and shades of color. What wonder that wealth and beauty, and the pride of 

 kingdoms, have in all ages come to this kingdom of nature for their ornaments ! 

 Surely, utility had little need of tliese minerals in laying the foundations of the 

 earth. Caverns would have aflbrded the wild beasts and reptiles just as safe and 

 convenient lurking-places though they had not been paved and arched over with 

 gems. 



In the vegetable kingdom, there is beauty in the seed cast into the earth ; and 

 in the plant shooting up into the suidight, in its opening leaves, with their various 

 forms and hues ; in the out-spreading branches, stems, tendrils ; in the forming 

 bud, the expanding flower, and the ripening fruit. Notice the shape and struc- 

 ture of trees. Yonder elm, for example. It is not set in the ground like a post, 

 but springs from it like a thing of life. Its massive trunk, braced up with but- 

 tresses, rises on high, then spreads out in tapering branches on every side, support- 

 ing a leafy dome whose majesty and grace charm every beholder. Analyze the tree 

 more minutely. Examine its bark, twigs, leaves ; cut into its very heart-wood, and 

 beauty haunts you still. How wide the diversity between the pendulous willow 

 and the stately and dense maple, the gnarled oak, the columnar poplar, and the 

 heaven-kissiug pine. Observe the variety in the form, size, and color of leaves, 

 both of trees and plants. There is a vast range between those of the palm-tree 

 and the Victoria regia, down to the leaflets of the mosses. Even in mid-summer, 

 there are purple and blue, gray and yellow, striped and veined, splashed and 

 spotted, and various other colored leaves, with every conceivable shade of green. 

 And then, what changes are wrought in their color between the first palft hues of 

 spring and the crimson and gokl of autumn ! And after the varied glory of sum- 

 mer has passed by, and the pomp of autumn is blasted, it is not the least pleasant 

 sight of the year to observe the evergreen trees, holding out faithfully amid frosts 

 and storms, and diffusing a smile over the cold face of winter. And, as to flowers, 

 words cannot express their loveliness. But the wide earth is covered with them ; 

 the air is loaded with their fragrance. At every step, you trample on some won- 

 der of elaborate workmanship and beauty. Fruits, too, at least most of them, must 

 be set down among the beautiful. Here are ruby cherries, golden pears, fair- 

 cheeked apples, purple grapes, which are not only good to eat, but pleasant to 

 look upon. 



Thei'e is beauty, also, in the elements of fire and water. In fire, glowing in 

 our evening lamps, crackling on our hearthstones, throwing far its beams, by night, 

 from many a casement on hillside and plain, illuminating the streets of cities, flash- 

 ing on the headlands of rocky coasts, and shining from the sun and stars. In water, 

 when the dew scatters diamonds on grass, shrub, and tree ; when the mist spreads 

 along the valley, or rolls up the mountain side, and when the departing shower 

 garlands its locks with rainbows ; beauty, too, when it ripples on the sea-shore, 

 when the ocean is burnished with gold by day, and silver by night, and when its 

 waves are gemmed with phosphorescent lires; beauty in lakes, rivers, creeks, and 

 musical brooks, in the silvery spray of fountains, and in the silent springs, reflect- 

 ing the overhanging woods. 



The revolving seasons have many pleasing aspects. Spring scatters the Hep 



