262 FROM A NEW ENGLAND HILLSIDE. 



And I hoped that far away in the woods, 

 the rain might overtake the fell destroyer 

 on his fiery path, and quietly smother his 

 rage, even as balm may sometime light 

 upon the hearts of those whose homes and 

 hearths he has already made desolate. 



The showers have come like a cool hand 

 softly laid upon a fevered forehead. The 

 rain has not been a very heavy one, and 

 now there is a halt as though the elements 

 were uncertain whether to continue their 

 bounties. But the darkness cometh on 

 apace ; already with the shortening day I 

 have to draw my chair close to the window 

 to obtain light enough for my writing ; I 

 have faith to believe that the fountains will 

 again be opened during the night watches. 



I look out upon the leaves of the maple 

 tree near my window, washed clean of the 

 fine dust which has been borne upon the 

 wings of the wind for many a day, and 

 wonder what they are thinking all day long, 

 and week after week, now hanging motion 

 less and now swaying to and fro in the 

 passing breeze. For that they have life is 

 certain, and what is life without thought ? 

 I cannot quite rid myself of the feeling that 

 there is a certain consciousness even in the 

 leaves. Darwin has shown such acts of 



