THE INSPIRING SPARROWS. 



21 



brightened even the May mornings when every bird 

 was at its best I have often wondered why it is 

 that this sparrow forever retains the warmth of 

 summer in its heart, while all its cousins change 

 with the seasons, and, while merry at spring-tide, are 

 contemplative, if not positively gloomy, on the ap- 

 proach of winter. There is no key, perhaps, where- 

 with to unlock the mystery, so let it rest Suffice it 



Song-sparrow. 



to know that, though the hedge is leafless, there is 

 beauty still lingering somewhere about the bare 

 twigs, and the sparrow discovers it and proclaims it, 

 even in the face of the cruellest blast of the heartless 

 north wind. There is no variation in the song ; no 

 less emphasis in December than in June ; at all 

 times it finds the world is good enough and worthy 

 of all praise. Translate this song, if you will, put- 

 ting it into your own language with all your cunning, 



