VIII. TO EDMONTON. 119 



the contemplation of a clear azure horizon 

 to rest them on the verdant carpet spread 

 beneath his feet; while he listens to the 

 murmuring of a rivulet, the rustling of the 

 foliage, and the warbling of the birds; while 

 sitting on a mossy bank inhaling the rich 

 perfume of the flowers, and beholding on 

 all sides trees bending beneath the weight of 



o o 



their fruit, whose pendant branches seem 

 to court his acceptance such happiness is 

 not a chimerical picture of the imagination, 

 but within the reach of every one whc^e 

 mind is not distracted by the frivolous plea- 

 sures of society, occupied by the cares of 

 ambition ; or, in short, who prefers simplicity 

 to luxury, and the productions of Nature to 

 those of art. 



I have also spoken to you of the relations 

 of man with his species. The more magni- 

 ficent the dwelling we inhabit the more 

 solitary would it appear, w r ere we entirely 

 isolated on earth, and had no one to che- 

 rish us, or share our enjoyments. You have 



seeu 



