IV. 



SOUNDS FROM INANIMATE NATURE. 



Nature in every scene and situation has established 

 certain sounds which are indicative of its character. 

 The sounds we hear in the hollow dells among the 

 mountains are unlike those of the open plains ; and the 

 echoes of the sea-shore repeat sounds that are never re- 

 verberated among the inland valleys. There are many 

 species of singing birds within the solitudes of a forest, 

 which are seldom heard or seen in our orchards or gar- 

 dens. In the mind of one who has been early accus- 

 tomed to the wild woods, the warbling of these solitary 

 birds is pleasantly connected with their stillness and 

 their grandeur. Besides the singing of birds and the 

 chirping of insects, there are voices from inanimate 

 nature, which are full of pleasing suggestions. The 

 murmuring of winds and the rustling of foliage, the 

 gurgling of streams and the bubbling of fountains, come 

 to our ears like the music of our early days, accom- 

 panied by many agreeable fancies. A stream rolling 

 over a rough declivity, a fountain bubbling up from a 

 subterranean hollow, produce sounds suggestive of fra- 

 grant summer arbors, of cool retreats, and all their de- 

 lightful accompaniments. 



