II. 



JANUARY. 



POETS in all ages have sung of the delights of seed 

 time and harvest, and of the voluptuous pleasures of 

 summer ; but when treating of winter, they have con 

 fined their descriptions to the sports of the season, 

 rather than to the beauties of nature. Winter is sup 

 posed to furnish but few enjoyments to be compared 

 with those of summer; because the majority of men, 

 being oppressed by too many burdens, naturally yearn 

 for a life of indolence. I will not deny that the pleas 

 ures derived from the direct influence of nature are 

 greatly diminished in cold weather; there are not so 

 many interesting objects to amuse the mind, as in the 

 season when all animated things are awake, and the 

 earth is covered with vegetation; but there are many 

 pleasant rural excursions and invigorating exercises, 

 which can be enjoyed only in the winter season, and 

 for which thousands of our undegenerate yeomanry 

 would welcome its annual visit. 



It is only on occasional days of tempest or extreme 

 cold, which form but a small portion of the whole sea 

 son, that one, who has a moderate share of health and 

 vigor, is necessarily confined within doors. The pleas- 



