128 STUDIES IX THE FIELD AND FOREST. 



while the beams of the sun are tinged with a kind of 

 ruddy glow, by shining through an almost invisible 

 haze. A blind man might then determine by the per 

 fumes of the air, as he was led over the country, 

 whether he was in meadow or upland, and distinguish 

 the nature of the vegetation with which he was sur 

 rounded. There is a constant change of odors, as we 

 pass from one place to another, and the fragrance of the 

 atmosphere yields no inconsiderable part of the pleasure 

 of an excursion, in the month of May. 



Now let the dweller in the city who, abounding in 

 all luxurious possessions, sighs for that contentment 

 which his wealth has not procured, come forth from the 

 dust and confinement of the town, and pay a short 

 visit to nature in the country. Let him come in the 

 afternoon, when the declining sun casts a beautiful 

 sheen upon the tender leaves of the forest, and while 

 tens of thousands of birds are chanting in full chorus, 

 from an overflow of those delightful sensations, that fill 

 the hearts of all creatures, who worship nature in her 

 own temples, and do obedience to her beneficent laws. 

 I would lead him to a commanding view of the lovely 

 prospect, that he may gaze awhile upon those objects, 

 which he has so often admired on the canvas of the 

 artist, exhibited here in all their living beauty. While 

 the gales are wafting to his senses the sweet perfumes 

 of the surrounding groves and orchards, and the notes 

 of warbling birds are echoing all around in harmonious 

 confusion, I would point to him the neat little cottages, 

 which are dotted about, like palaces of .content in all 

 parts of the landscape. I would direct his attention to 

 the happy laborers in the field, and the neatly dressed, 

 smiling, ruddy, and playful children, in their green and 



