92 HISTORICAL AXD SOCIAL SKETCH OF 



only awakens him from the enjoyment of a deHcious 

 day-dream. 



Next to mountains, the forest possesses an irre- 

 sistible charm for the imagination. Its sublime 

 loneliness is relieved by the endless changes which 

 the seasons, in their order, bring forth, and each, in 

 its turn, affects the mind of the beholder. There is 

 an indescribable charm in a northern forest when 

 the earth is covered with snow, and the bare trees 

 stand as if mourning over the desolation v/hich has 

 overtaken them. But the sweetest sensations are 

 those excited by the pine forests of our southern 

 soil. Here nature dies not, but only takes her rest. 

 Her trees, which give character to the scene, are 

 always verdant, but their verdure has none of the 

 witchery of a more genial season. The tall and 

 branchless monarchs of the forest rear their heads 

 aloft to meet the rays of the sun, and as they catch 

 the chilling blast which salutes them, utter a low and 

 melancholy murmur of complaint as they bow before 

 the mysterious breeze. Nor is the prospect enliv- 

 ened by the sight of animal life. The solitary wood- 

 pecker mingles no melody with the tapping of his 

 bill as he industriously pursues his food. The 

 hoarse croaking of the crow is in perfect harmony 

 with the scene. The gray squirrel regards, partly 

 with astonishment, partly with alarm, the disturber 

 of his quiet home. The whole scene is the abode 

 of solitude, but not that which depresses the heart. 



