114 THE FRIENDSHIP OF NATURE 



surrounded, protected. It is a time 

 of confidences; the migrating bird 

 reveals to night the purpose of its 

 silent journey, and the sleeping bird 

 draws the darkness doubly close with 

 his veiling wing. The flowers drowse 

 in various attitudes, and man, in peace, 

 may reconcile his tripartite nature, 

 body, mind, and soul. Outside his 

 door is the vast stage, well set with 

 scenes for the revolving night-drama; 

 the orchestra is ready; the Will-o'-the- 

 wisp, the moon, the northern Aurora, 

 and the piercing winter stars, — man 

 only needs to send his fancy out to set 

 all moving. 



The first scene of the winter night- 

 world is the sky above the window. 

 When it is cloudless the constellations 

 pace across it, but when clouded it is 

 fathomless. Nowadays science teaches 

 the places of the stars by lines and 



