BOOK OF NATURE LAID OPEN. 37 



naturally apt to fill the mind with calmness and 

 tranquility, and to lay all its turbulent passions at 

 rest. It gives us a great insight into the contrivance 

 and wisdom of Providence, and suggests innumera- 

 ble subjects for meditation. We cannot but think 

 the very complacency and satisfaction which a man 

 takes in these works of Nature, to be a laudable, if 

 not a virtuous habit of mind." 



But let not the poor complain, or those who have 

 no garden to retire to, no beautifully adorned en- 

 closure, where, secluded from society, they may give 

 themselves up to reflection. Still the fields are open 

 to them, and what, in the words of an eminent na- 

 turalist, is the earth, but " an immense garden, laid 

 out and planted by the hand of the Deity ? the 

 lofty mountains and waving forests are its terraces 

 and groves; fertile fields and flowery meadows form 

 its beautiful parterres." 



We cannot, we are persuaded, conclude this head 

 of our subject better than with the following quota- 

 tion from the author of The Seasons : 



*' Soft roll your incense herbs, and fruits, and flowers, 



In mingled clouds to HIM, whose sun exalts, 



Whose breath perfumes you, and whose pencil paints." 



