SEPTEMBER. 271 



gossamer spiders, it has long been known, have the 

 faculty of throwing out several of their threads on 

 each side, which serve them as a balloon to buoy 

 them up into the air. With these they sail into the 

 higher regions of the atmosphere, or return with 

 great velocity. By recent experiments, it appears 

 that the spider and its web are not, as it was sup- 

 posed, of less specific gravity than the air, and by 

 that means ascend. The phenomenon has been 

 supposed to be electrical, but this is doubtful : it yet 

 requires explanation. 



There is now a brightness of the sky, and a 

 diaphanous purity of the atmosphere, at once sur- 

 prising and delightful. We remark with astonish- 

 ment how perfectly and distinctly the whole of the 

 most extensive landscape lies in varied, solemn 

 beaqty before us ; while, such is the reposing still- 

 ness of nature, that not a sound disturbs the sunny 

 solitude, save perhaps the clapping of pigeon's wings 

 as they rise from the stubbles. The clearness of 

 vision may partly arise from the paucity of vapour 

 ascending from the ground at this dry season, and 

 partly from the eye being relieved from the intensity 

 of splendour with which it is oppressed in summer; 

 but be it what it may, the fact has not escaped one 

 of our most beautiful poets. 



There is a harmony 

 In autumn, and a lustre in its sky, 

 Which through the summer is not heard nor seen, 

 As if it could not be, as if it had not been. 



