15 



fumes, that float upon the breath of flowers. We forget 

 the debasing compedtions of wealth and fame, and enter 

 into the innocent pursuits of the guileless creatures of the 

 air. Instead of the too often profitless companionships of 

 society, we meet ourselves. We become the companions 

 of our own inner thoughts, and the things which inter- 

 vene between our hearts and heaven are those which only 

 link us more closely to its infinite aspirations. That 

 voice within speaks to us like a trumpet, whose whis- 

 pers were almost inaudible through the tumult and hurry 

 of life. The heart which was harder than the nether 

 millstone in the cave of Plutus, softens and expands to 

 the just proportions of its nature, beneath the liberal sun- 

 shine and under the broad and bounteous atmosphere. 

 And still, like that primal Eden, though shorn and dimin- 

 ished of those heavenly flowers, 



That never will in other climate grow, 



it is yet the faint image of the original paradise, and the 

 only earthly region instinctive with the spirit of an Al- 

 mighty and universal Love. It is here, indeed, that 



* * o'er tlie flower 



His eye is sparkling and his breath hath blown, 

 His soft and summer breath, whose tender power 

 Passes the strength of storms in their most desolate hour. 



A populous solitude of bees and birds 



And fairy-form'd and many-colored things, 



Who worship him with notes more sweet than words, 



And innocently open their glad wings. 



Fearless and full of life ; the gush of springs. 



And fall of lofty fountains, and the bend 



Of stirring branches, and the bud which brings 



The swiftest thought of beauty, here extend. 



Mingling, and made by Love, unto one mighty end. Byron. 



It is from places like these that the benefactors of the 

 world have derived the strength of their generous impul- 



