AUGUST. 275 



I know that the poor harvesters are amongst 

 the most thankful contemplators of the bounty 

 of Providence, though so little of it falls to 

 their share. To them harvest comes as an 

 annual festivity. To their healthful frames, 

 the heat of the open fields, which would op- 

 press the languid and relaxed, is but an ex- 

 hilarating and pleasant glow. The inspiration 

 of the clear sky above, and of scenes of plenty 

 around them, and the very circumstance of 

 their being drawn from their several dwellings 

 at this bright season, open their hearts and 

 give a life to their memories j and many an 

 anecdote and history from "the simple annals 

 of the poor" are there related, which need only 

 to pass through the mind of a Wordsworth or 

 a Crabbe, to become immortal in their mirth or 

 woe. 



Whilst speaking of harvest, I must not omit 

 to notice the splendid appearance of the HAR- 

 VEST MOON. The circumstance of this moon 

 rising several nights successively almost at the 

 same time, immediately after sunset, has given 

 it an importance in the eyes of farmers ; but it 

 is not the less remarkable for its singular and 

 splendid beauty. No moon during the year 

 T 2 



