IN NOVEMBER. 269 



The loss of verdure, together with the shortened 

 days, the diminishing warmth,, and frequent rains, 

 justify the title of gloomy to the month of Novem- 

 ber; and other animals seem to symathize with man. 

 in feeling it as such. 



Intervals of clear and pleasant weather,, however, 

 frequently occur ; and it long continues, 



" The pale, descending year, yet pleasing still." 



In fair weather the mornings are somewhat frosty; 

 but the hoar frost soon vanishes after sun-rise. 



High winds frequently happen in November, 

 which at once strip the trees of their faded leaves, 

 and reduce them to their winter state of nakedness. 

 Flocks of wood pigeons, or stock doves, the latest 

 birds of passage in their arrival, visit us in this month. 

 Salmon now begin to ascend the rivers to spawn: 

 their force and agility in leaping over cataracts and 

 other obstacles to their ascent, are very surprising. 



The farmer endeavours to finish his ploughing in, 

 the course of this month; then, laying up his utensils 

 till the ensuing spring, he takes his cattle and horses 

 out of the exhausted pastures into the yard or stable; 

 puts his hogs up. to fatten; turns his sheep into the 

 turnip-field, or, in stormy weather, feeds them withi 

 hay at the rick; and then, when 



* The western sun withdraws the shortened dayy 

 And humid evening, gliding o'er the sky, 

 In her chill progress, to the ground condens'd 

 The vapour throws ;" 



A a 2: 



