TO A CONTEMPLATIVE MINI). 287 



bosom the seeds of nutritious vegetables. A clear stream should 

 meander through the rich meadow beyond my garden, and then 

 wind its course through the shady grove, intermingled with young and 

 slender stems. With a vineyard on one side, towards the open 

 country, and a field waving with golden grain, the richest monarch 

 would be poor in comparison to me. 



" While he who dwells in a town is awakened from his slumbers 

 by the distracting tumult ; while lofty walls intercept the lovely view 

 of the morning sun, and his imprisoned eyes are never cheered by the 

 beauteous scenes of the rising day, I should be awakened by the soft 

 breezes of the morn and the gay concerts of the birds. I should spring 

 from my couch, and hasten to meet Aurora in the flowery mead or on 

 the neighbouring hill, while my songs of transport should echo from 

 its brow. For what is more delightful than beauteous Nature, when, 

 in harmonious confusion, she displays the infinite variety of her 

 charms ? Presumptuous man ! why seekest thou to embellish Nature 

 by thy ridiculous art? Construct labyrinths with verdant walls, and 

 let the yew, at measured intervals, rear its pointed head ; let the walks 

 be of pure gravel, and not a blade of grass disturb the steps of the 

 wanderer. Give me the rural mead and the entangled thicket ; their 

 variety and irregular disposition result from secret principles of 

 harmony and beauty, which fill the mind with rapturous emotion. 

 Often would I wander till midnight beneath the moon's mild beam, 

 in solitary pleasing meditation on the harmonious universe, while 

 innumerable worlds and suns sparkle over my head. 



" When gloomy days with chilling rains, or inclement winter, or 

 the sultry heats of summer, deny me the pleasure of a walk, I would 

 shut myself up in my solitary chamber. There I would spend my 

 hours with the noblest society, the pride and honour of past ages ; 

 with those great men who have transferred the stores of their genius 

 into instructive books ; whose society imparts dignity and elevation to 

 the soul. This teaches me the customs of many nations, and the 

 wonders of nature in distant countries; and that discloses her most 

 secret operations. This developes the economy of nations and records 

 their history, at once the disgrace and the honour of humanity ; and 

 that describes the charms of virtue." 



(To be continual J 



