NATURE NEVER THE SAME. 263 



The backwoodsman never sees a city on fire, but he 

 beholds a far more imposing spectacle. Around the 

 haunts of men the devouring element is everywhere 

 met by resistance. Not only do solid walls obstruct 

 its progress, but human effort fights it at every step, 

 subduing its fury and lessening its force. But in the 

 woods it has free scope — no arm arrests it — no con- 

 finement smothers its rage. Free as the forest it 

 ranges, it puts forth all its energy, and is fanned into 

 greater fury, by the wind, itself creates. 



Thus, my friend, do scenes of beauty and terror 

 succeed each other on the margin and in the heart of 

 the wilderness. There is no monotony in nature and 

 no lack of excitement. 



Yours truly. 



