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striking is the tempestuous array of the thunder- 

 storm at that season. The clouds congregate ; 

 the sun withdraws his beams ; the winds retire 

 into their chambers ; the waters put on an inky 

 hue ; the birds hush their songs in the woodlands ; 

 the flocks bleat as if in dismay in the meadows ; 

 and, on the mountain side, the lowing of the cat- 

 tle is wild and desolate. Anon a transient breeze 

 stirs the grass, and the leaves quiver for a mo- 

 ment as if convulsedly ; and now, a few big drops 

 of rain patter amid the boughs, heralding the 

 lightning, which is the parent of thunder. How 

 sublime that peal which echoes and re-echoes 

 through the immensity of space, proclaiming the 

 power of the Almighty, and portending to man 

 the breaker of his commandments how limitless 

 may be the vengeance, which his disobedience is 

 incurring ! the hills look dark in the distance ; 

 the ocean rolls in mountain-billows to the shore ; 

 the clouds open their windows, and pour down 

 rain and hail upon the earth ; till, having spent 

 its wrath, the tempest passes over, arid again 

 the glad sun, darting a beam through the rent 

 battalia of the clouds, calls forth the rainbow to 

 span the east, and to proclaim to man, that the 

 anger of God will not only not abide always, but 

 that he has only to repent, that he may be for- 

 given ! 



When the sickle has levelled the aureate ripe- 

 ness of the fields ; when the orchard has shed its 

 mellow fruits ; when the garden flowers fade ; 

 and when the forest trees wear a varied livery, 



