512 NATURE STUDY. 



The drop was lifted so tenderly 

 It never knew when it left the sea, 

 But found itself drawn up to the sky, 

 Afloat in the heavens, soft and high, 

 As free as the winds of airy space, 

 As fair as the morning's tender grace. 



One tranquil eve, 'mid the purple ones ^ 

 That shine in the light of setting suns, 

 It saw far down on the distant earth 

 The forest spring where it had its birth, 

 And all of the winding way it went, 

 With many a murmur of discontent ; 

 And the early dream came back again, 

 As the thoughts of youth come back to men : 

 That thread of silver that ever turned 

 Away from the skies for which it yearned, 

 That wandering life of fall and foam 

 That seemed to lead it away from home, 

 It now could see was the very road 

 That led it up to its blest abode." 



L. D. BREWSTER : St. Nicholas, April, 1883. 



THE UNITY OF NATURE. 



Have teacher and children gained something of this 

 thought ? 



" Thus the Seer, 

 With vision clear, 

 Sees forms appear and disappear, 

 In the perpetual round of strange, 

 Mysterious change, 



From birth to death, from death to birth, 

 From earth to heaven, from heaven to earth : 

 Till glimpses more sublime 

 Of things, unseen before, 

 Unto his wondering eyes reveal 

 The universe, as an immeasurable wheel 

 Turning f orevermore 

 In the rapid rushing river of Time. " 



LONGFELLOW. 



