42 LETTER IX. 



'realized, you would in one place seethe atfpiriag pine, 

 and the majestic oak; and in another, the lofty cedar, 

 which, according to the information given us by holy 

 writ, formerly crowded the mountains of Libanus, or 

 Lebanon, and still constitutes the ornament of those 

 of the warm countries of America, as well as of some 

 other parts of the world. You would reflect on the 

 utility of those nrignihcent productions of nature, 

 for building and other purposes. You would also 

 view with pleasure, the twisting vine, and make agree- 

 able reflections on the exhilarating arid beneficial 

 effects resulting from a moderate use of the juice of 

 the grape, and on the disorders arising fVom intempe- 

 rance. You would feel yourself impelled to express 

 your gratitude to the Almighty Donor for the number 

 and excellence of his gifts, and coi'iceive an abhor- 

 rence of ungratefully and impiously abusing them by 

 immoderate excess. In a word,' my. dear Sir, you 

 would, in the different regions of the globe, contem- 

 plate with astonishment tke endless variety of nature, 

 and the profusion of ornaments with which the Omni- 

 potent Creator has decorated this superb mansion, 

 designed for the temporary abode of man. The earth 

 is an immense garden, laid out and planted by the 

 hand of the Deity : the lofty mountains and waving 

 forests are its terraces and groves : fertile -fields and 

 flowery meadows form its beautiful parterres. 



Reluctantly taking leave of so deHghtful a subject, 

 I am sensible* that you will also feel the same regret ; 

 but I shall soon have the pleasure of consoling you 

 with a view of those interesting scenes which ani- 

 mated nature every where presents to the eye of con- 

 templation. 



With every wish for your intellectual and moral 

 improvement, and for the increase of your rational 

 pleasures, I am, dear Sir, 



Your's, &c. 



