402 EFFECTS OF CALORIC ON BODIES. 



the growth of vegetation in the former, or blight- 

 ing and destroying it by the influence of the 

 latter. 



Winter is called a dull season ; and to the 

 sensations of some, the enjoyments of others, 

 and, perhaps, to the vision of all, it is a most 

 cheerless period. This is so universally felt, that 

 we always associate the idea of pleasure with the 

 return of spring : whatsoever our occupations 

 or employments may be, though its sleety storms 

 and piercing winds may at times chill the very 

 current in our veins, yet we consider it as an 

 harbinger of pleasurable hours and grateful pur- 

 suits. We commence our undertakings, or defer 

 them till spring. The hopes or prospects of 

 the coming year are principally established in 

 spring; and we trust that the delicate health of 

 the blossoms round our hearths, which has faded 

 in the chilling airs of winter, may be restored 

 by the mild influence of that season. Yet winter 

 must be considered as the time in which Nature 

 is most busily employed; silent in her secret 

 mansions, she is now preparing and compound- 

 ing the verdure, the flowers, the nutriment of 

 spring ; and all the fruits and glorious profusion 

 of our summer year are only the advance of what 

 has been ordained and fabricated in these dull 

 months. All these advances require Omnipotent 

 wisdom and power to perfect ; but perhaps a more 



