128 



A SUBJECT FOR REFLECTION. 



A solemn moment is it when the sap that life-blood of 

 the plant arrested by the icy grasp of winter in its circu- 

 latory movement receives a new impulse through the 



FIG. 28. Landscape in Winter. 



vivifying action of the central luminary of our system. 

 What a subject for study and reflection ! 



It has been very finely dealt with by Longfellow. 



How wonderful ! he exclaims, and we only regard the 

 wonder with indifference, because it is repeated annually, 

 how wonderful is the advent of spring ! the great annual 

 miracle, as he calls it, of the blossoming of Aaron's rod, 

 repeated on myriads and myriads of branches ! the gentle 



