JANUARY. 15 



pended. The foam of the water has been frozen into 

 large white masses, like a snow bank in appearance, 

 but as solid as ice. The shrubs, that project from the 

 crevices of the rocks, are clad in a full armor of varie- 

 gated icicles ; and when the slanting rays of the sun 

 penetrate into these recesses, they illuminate them with 

 a dazzling and unearthly splendor ; and it seems as if 

 the nymphs, that sit by these fountains, had decorated 

 them as the portals to that inner temple of nature, 

 whence are the issues of all that is lovely and beautiful 

 on earth. 



Thus, when all the delightful objects of summer have 

 perished, endless sources of amusement and delight are 

 still provided for the mind and the senses. Though the 

 singing-bird has fled from the orchard, and the rustling 

 of green leaves is heard no longer in the haunts of the 

 little mountain streams, there are still many things to 

 attract attention, by their beauty or their sublimity. 

 Whether we view the frosts that decorate the herbage 

 in the morning, or the widespread loveliness of the snow 

 on a moonlight evening, the sublimity of heaven seems 

 to rest upon the face of the earth, and we behold with 

 rapt emotions every terrestial scene. The universe, full 

 of these harmonies, yields never-ending themes for 

 study and meditation, to absorb and delight the mind 

 that is ever searching after knowledge, and to raise the 

 soul above the clods of the valley, to that invisible 

 power that dwells throughout all space. 



1 never listen to the shrill voice of the woodpecker, 

 within the deep shelters of the forest, or to the lively 

 notes of the chickadee, which alternate with the sound 

 of winds among the dry rustling leaves, without feeling 

 a sudden and delightful transport. I cannot help in- 

 dulging the fancy, that nature has purposely endowed 



