260 NATURAL APPEARANCES 



23d of this month, and is often attended with heavy 

 storms of wind and rain, which throw down much 

 of the fruit yet remaining; on the trees. 



At the end of the month the leaves of many trees 

 lose their given colours, and begin their grave au- 

 tumnal tints, indicative of the approaching desolatioji 

 $f winter; which 



.- - " come- to rule the varied year, 



Sullen and sad, with all her rising train, 

 Vapours, and clouds, and storms." 



Fruit. 



This is the happy season in which Divine Good- 

 ness lavishes all sorts of fruit upon us in great abun- 

 dance. The charms of summer give place to more 

 solid enjoyments. The boughs of the apple-tree 

 bend under the weight of that golden fruit, the beau- 

 ty of which is still heightened by its purple streaks. 

 The melting pear, the plum sweet as honey, gjisptay 

 their charms, and seem to invite the hand of their 

 master. Should we not be unpardonable, if the 

 sight of these blessings which we owe to the mu- 

 nificence of God, did not create in us grateful re- 

 flections, and by such means sanctify the pleasures 

 of autumn ? 



There is hardly any food so wholesome as fruits. 

 It was with a benificent view that Providence gave 

 them to us in a season when they are not only plea 

 sing and refreshing to us, but also excellent in a 



