74 VOICES FROM THE WOODLANDS. 



us somewhat of their own prescience, with regard to natural 

 things, and, thus instructed, they fable that we possess a 

 degree of sagacity or foresight, which resembles instinct in 

 animals and birds. Hence we discover beforehand the 

 coming round of seasons; flinging forth our leaves, and 

 blossoms, and moving our vast branches, according to the 

 course of winds; stretching them forth, or seeming to 

 contract them, now lifting them towards heaven, and 

 again drooping them earthward, as the snow is about to 

 fall or melt. 



Thus have poets fabled; yet not only has the poet 

 ascribed to us due honour, but the painter selects from 

 us those tablets on which he embodies his imperishable 

 thoughts. Listen to one of those wild legends, which 

 originated in sunny Italy, but which a German enthusiast 

 has thus recorded. 



An aged recluse dwelt in one of the loveliest valleys 

 among the Apennines. His young days had passed in 

 foreign lands, and much sorrow had been his lot : he had 



