Z6 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



the fake of fuppofition, from the Weft, has been 

 raifed out of the bofom of the Ocean, and, per- 

 haps, from the coafts of America; that it has 

 been fent to fweep our great cities into cleanhnefs, 

 to replenifh the refervoirs of our fountains ; to 

 render our rivers navigable ; and whilft the clouds, 

 which pour it down, are advancing eaftward, to 

 convey fertility even to the vegetables of Tartarv, 

 the grains and the garbage, which it carries down 

 our rivers, are hurling away weftward, to precipi- 

 tate themfelves into the Sea, to feed the fifhes of 

 the Atlantic Ocean. Thefe excurfions of my un- 

 derftanding convey to the foul an extenfion corre- 

 fponding to it's nature, and appear to me fo much 

 the more pleafing, that the body, which, for it's 

 part loves repofe, is more tranquil, and more com- 

 pletely proteded. 



If I am in a forrowful mood, and not difpofed 

 to fend my foul on an excurfion fo extenfive, I 

 flill feel much pleafure in giving way to the me- 

 lancholy which the bad weather infpires. It looks 

 as if Nature was then conforming to my fituation, 

 like a fympathizing friend. She is, befides, at all 

 times fo interefting, under whatever afped fhe ex- 

 hibits herfelf, that when it rains, I think I fee a 

 beautiful woman in tears. She feems to me more 

 beautiful, the more that (lie wears the appearance 

 of afflidion. In order to be imprefTed with thefe 



fentiments. 



