THE CHRISTIAN NATURALIST. 187 



earlier, than in its later months. As we descend 

 lower in the year the gloomy and sombre aspect of 

 the landscape increases, till at length on entering the 

 month of November, a feeliag oppresses us like that 

 which Pope ascribes to the unhappy inmate of a con- 

 vent, — 



* Black melancholy sits, and round her throws 

 A death-like silence, and a dread repose ; 

 Her gloomy presence saddens all the scene, 

 Shades every flower, and darkens every green : 

 Deepens the murmur of the falling floods. 

 And breathes a browner horror over the woods.* 



It is with a sensation of this nature that we approach 

 this great event of the season, 



'THE FALL OF THE LEAF.' 

 There is no time of the year when nature puts on 

 such an aspect of sadness, as when the trees have just 

 lost their verdure and shed their leaves. We cannot 

 help feeling a mournful sensation as we cast our eyes 

 abroad over the hedges and woods lately clad in all the 

 lovely tints of the seasons, but now stript of all their 

 gay and cheerful clothing, and reduced as it were to the 

 condition of a beggar who has only a few old scanty 

 patches of rags to conceal his limbs and cover his 

 nakedness. The paths of our gardens and fields are 



