44 RAMBLES OP 



NO. JI. 



On the day following my first related excursion, I 

 started early in the morning, and was rewarded by one 

 sight, which could not otherwise have been obtained, 

 well worth the sacrifice of an hour or two of sleep. 

 There may be persons who will smile contemptuously 

 at the idea of a man's being delighted with such trifles ; 

 nevertheless, we are not inclined to envy such as dis- 

 esteem the pure gratification afforded by these simple 

 and easily accessible pleasures. As I crossed an open 

 lot on my way to the lane, a succession of gossamer spi- 

 der webs, lightly suspended from various weeds and 

 small shrubs, attracted my attention. The dew which 

 had formed during the night was condensed upon this 

 delicate lace, in globules of most resplendent brilliance, 

 whose clear lustre pleased while it dazzled the sight. In 

 comparison with the immaculate purity of these dew- 

 drops, which reflected and refracted the morning light 

 in beautiful rays as the gossamer webs trembled in the 

 breeze, how poor would appear the most invaluable dia- 

 monds that were ever obtained from Golconda or Brazil! 

 How rich would any monarch be that could boast the 



