26 FOLIAGE OF THE BEECH IN AUTUMN. 



now hushed, and if anything disturbs the silence, 

 it is the occasional fall of the beech-nut, as the 

 thoughtful squirrel attempts to secure it for his 

 winter hoard. 



Dear, lovely Nature ! Often have I courted 

 your delightful shades far from the haunts of men, 

 my heart expanding, I trust, with love and gra- 

 titude to Him, who has afforded me so many 

 objects for contemplation and enjoyment. Often 

 have I thought while reclining where 



the moss-grown beech 

 O'er canopies the glade, 



what a happy world this would be, if a sincere love 

 of the Great Creator kept pace with those kindly 

 feelings, which we are instructed to shew to each 

 other. Our angry and sordid passions would 

 be lulled, and peace, harmony and good-will 

 to each other might then abound in this world, 

 instead of so much sin and misery. 



Many lessons might we learn from the objects 

 which surround us, and few more important than 

 that of shewing mercy and kindness to the animal 

 creation, remembering that every thing was not 

 only made by, but is under the peculiar care of 

 our common Father. One of our poets imbued with 

 this feeling has thus delightfully written 



The tribes of woodland warblers recite 



The praise of Him, who ere he form'd their lord, 



Their voices tun'd to transport, wing'd their flight, 



