402 IDEALITIES OF POETS. 



tain, the forest, and the ocean. Content with these, 

 invested as they were with poetic beauty, man for ages 

 held them most religiously sacred ; but the progress of 

 natural science has destroyed this class of creations. 

 " Great Pan is dead," but the mountains are not voice- 

 less; they speak in a more convincing tone; and, 

 instead of the ear catching the dying echo of an obscure 

 truth, it is gladdened with the full, clear note of nature 

 in the sweetest voice proclaiming secrets which were 

 unknown to the dreams of superstition. 





