MAY. 157 



tinent should be peopled with civilized and Christian men, 

 cannot be doubted ; yet a benevolent mind cannot contem- 

 plate the fate of the red man without a pang of regret for the 

 hardness of his destiny. 



" They waste us, aye, like April snow 

 In the warm noon, we shrink away ; 



And fast they follow, as we go 

 Towards the setting day : 



Till they shall fill the land, and we 



Are driven into the western sea." 



But while we are talking of the Indians, the evening has 

 waned into night; and were it not for the innumerable 

 lamps above us, it would be quite dark. 



C. The evening is warm, and the air balmy and 

 pleasant ; the soft maple in flpwer on the bank of the river 

 gives out a sweeter fragrance than before ; but let us walk 

 homeward. 



F. A walk in the evening at this season has always 

 charms for me, and I often delight to protract it into the 

 night ; the general quietness that prevails around, and the 

 sight of those unnumbered glittering worlds, have a soothing 

 and calming influence on my mind, and fit it for devotion. 



C. What delightful odour is that which is now dif- 

 fused through the air ? It is very different from that of the 

 maple, but equally delicate and pleasing. 



F. It comes from the Balm of Gilead, near the house : 

 by day it is not perceivable, but in the damp dewy air 

 of evening, at this season, the tree diffuses this delicious 

 perfume. If one sense is delighted by day, another is 

 charmed by night : how many sources of pleasure and in- 

 nocent enjoyment has our good Creator opened for us ! 



" These are thy glorious works, Parent of good ! 

 Almighty ! thine this universal frame, 

 Thus wondrous fair ! thyself how wondrous then ! " 



