400 DECEMBER. 



spread themselves over the earth by myriads 

 in spring, how summer and autumn fill the 

 world with loveliness and fragrance, with corn 

 and wine, it is impossible not to feel our hearts 

 " breathe perpetual benedictions'* to the great 

 Founder and Provider of the world, and warm 

 with sympathetic affection towards our own 

 race, for whom he has thought fit to prepare all 

 this happiness. There is no time in which I 

 feel these sentiments more strongly than when 

 I behold the moon rising over a solitary sum- 

 mer landscape. The repose of all creatures on 

 the earth makes more sensibly felt the incessant 

 care of him who thus sends up " his great light 

 to rule the night, and to shine softly and silently 

 above millions of sleeping creatures, that take 

 no thought for themselves. 



Such are the thoughts which flow into the 

 spirit of the solitary man as he walks through 

 the pure retreats of Nature such have been 

 mine as I have gone on, from day to day, build- 

 ing up this " Book of the Seasons ;" and in the 

 spirit of thankful happiness and f ' goodwill to 

 all," I thus bring it to an end. 



The evergreen trees with their beautiful cones, 

 such as firs and pines, are now particularly ob- 



