1 88 PROSERPINA. 



study of the bark and pith in those museum 

 sections, before I can assert this ; but there will 

 be no real difficulty in the investigation. If the 

 increase of the wood is lateral only, the currents 

 round the knots will be compressed at the sides, 

 and open above and below ; but if downwards, 

 compressed above the knot and open below it. 

 The nature of the force itself, and the manner of 

 its ordinances in direction, remain, and must for 

 ever remain, inscrutable as our own passions, in 

 the hand of the God of all Spirits, and of all 

 Flesh. 



" Drunk is each ridge, of thy cup drinking, 

 Each clod relenteth at thy dressing, 

 Thy cloud-borne waters inly sinking, 

 Fair spring sproutes forth, blest with thy blessing ; 

 The fertile year is with thy bounty crouned, 

 And where thou go'st, thy goings fat the ground. 



Plenty bedews the desert places, 



A hedge of mirth the hills encloseth. 



The fields with flockes have hid their faces, 



A robe of corn the valleys clotheth. 

 Deserts and hills and fields and valleys all, 

 Rejoice, shout, sing, and on thy name do call." 



