204 FROM A NEW ENGLAND HILLSIDE. 



turn. They coine into om lives in many 

 ways, and at all times and seasons. How 

 beautiful they were last winter, laden down 

 with the fleecy shower, the dark green of 

 their leaves contrasting with the whiteness 

 of their burden of snow ! And at the 

 Christmastide some of their race bore a 

 wondrous variety of fruit, of which the 

 gem of all was the kindly feeling which in 

 spired the festival. And now as the warm 

 sun upon their branches brings out the 

 spicy odours, we recognize the very essence 

 of the forest in its completeness. Below 

 us, winding about among the roots in the 

 bottom of the little valley, tumble and 

 gurgle the waters of the &quot; Great brook,&quot; with 

 trout doubtless lurking here and there, seek 

 ing shelter from the heat under the shadow 

 ing banks of the deeper pools ; while on the 

 other side, above the slope, tall hemlock 

 trees spread their protecting branches until 

 they interlace, leaving open spaces below 

 quite clear of underbrush, carpeted with 

 brown leaves, and forming solemn, shadowy 

 aisles. 



I hardly think that the first and strong 

 est impression that we get of the German 

 people as we see them in this country, is 

 the poetic. And yet how full they are of 



