166 HOMELINESS OF NATUEE. 



ing the common objects of the material world rude, 

 homely, and even repulsive, occasionally revealing some 

 charming scene to captivate the sight, and bearing some 

 agreeable fruit to regale the other senses. Thus, when we 

 stroll among the leafless woods in spring, while all things 

 wear the aspect of desolation, the mind is stimulated by 

 the absence of beauty, so that not a flower appears on a 

 mossy knoll that is not greeted with delight. 



Men who live all the year under the continuous splen- 

 dor of the tropics lose in great measure this healthful 

 susceptibility to the charms of ordinary objects. This 

 may explain why in those countries only where there is 

 an annual revolution of the seasons and a constant change 

 in the phases of nature has civilization made any con- 

 siderable progress. I am convinced that the homely 

 features of landscape are the proper aliment of the soul ; 

 they are its strength and refreshment, and they preserve 

 its healthful tranquillity. The occasional displays of 

 beauty are but as gleams of light from heaven penetrating 

 through our shadows, and revealing glimpses of the great 

 mysterious Source of happiness that lies beyond our ken. 

 There is but little that attracts our attention in the form- 

 less clouds that produce the summer rain. But after the 

 rain has passed away, when the sun reappears involved 

 in mist, faintly illuminating the scene, like hope in ad- 

 versity, the mind is exalted to rapture ; and when at 

 length, renewing the ancient covenant between earth and 

 heaven, the rainbow comes forth to signalize the renewal 

 of all blessings, then do we feel the influence of the 

 highest material beauty. 



It is idle to say that by the canons of decorative art 

 the landscape cannot be made too beautiful. As well 

 might we say that there cannot be too much fragrance 

 in the air, or too much color on the blue surface of a lake. 

 If the whole ground were covered with brilliant flowers, 



