HOMELINESS OF NATURE. 165 



qualities only that produce an agreeable and stimulating 

 effect upon the visual organism. In this acceptation of 

 terms the general aspect of nature is homely. And it 

 would be easy to show that such an adjustment of crea- 

 tion is promotive, not only of our general well-being, but 

 that it preserves our capacity to enjoy the sight of all 

 beauty as it comes before us. 



Hence as Nature leads up the seasons of the year 

 she presents their unattractive features in the most con- 

 spicuous light, and makes their beauties so evanescent 

 that they usually bear the name of harbingers, because 

 their infrequency seems only to warn us of a change. 

 Spring she escorts like a fair maiden garlanded with flow- 

 ers, binding her brows with lilies and snowdrops, and 

 causing thousands of minute beauties to rise wherever 

 she places her feet. All these soon pass away, seldom 

 remaining long enough to tire us of their presence. Sum- 

 mer bears the horn of plenty, contributing more directly 

 to our physical comfort, but not so deeply affecting the 

 imagination. Summer presents us with occasional out- 

 breaks of splendor, but never wearies the eye by their 

 frequency. Autumn, amid the waning lights of heaven, 

 for a short period wins our admiration by spectacles of 

 unusual splendor. Then for a few weeks the face of na- 

 ture may be called beautiful. But were this scene of 

 splendor continued through the year, its charming influ- 

 ence would be lost upon us. Hence those aesthetic phi- 

 losophers who recommend to stimulate the mind and sight 

 with universal ornate scenery would soon render our 

 faculties morbidly dull to beautiful impressions. 



But Nature has been economical in her luxurious 

 proffers for sense and appetite. She neither strews 

 the ground with gaudy colors, nor causes wine to flow 

 in streams, like crystal water. She chooses rather to 

 strengthen our perceptions by a cautious frugality, mak- 



