CLOUDS. 255 



so powerfully excited as by these celestial phenomena, 

 whether we imagine the gates of heaven to be opened 

 beneath the triumphal arches of sunset, or watch the 

 passing of the gloomy precursors of evil days, in the 

 dark irregular masses that deform the sky before a 

 storm. The picturesque effects of clouds are in a great 

 measure attributable to the dubious character of their 

 configurations, giving rise to peculiar fancies, and 

 awakening sentiments suggested only by the loftiest 

 images of poetry. The shadows of passing clouds, as 

 they fall upon the earth, often moving rapidly with the 

 wind, are circumstances that add greatly to their ex- 

 pression. Above all do their motions contribute to the 

 beauty of landscape, when, through some opening in 

 their dense masses while the greater part of the pros- 

 pect is enveloped in shade, the sun pours a full stream 

 of glory upon a distant grove, village, or range of 

 hills. 



The system of the universe is attended with so many 

 circumstances that mar our happiness, that the Author 

 of nature has benevolently spread every scene with 

 beauty, that shall serve, by its exhilarating influence, to 

 lift us above the physical evils that surround us, and 

 render us half unmindful of their presence. For this 

 reason beauty is made to spring up, not only in the 

 landscape, in the wilderness, and by the way-side, by 

 the sea-shore and the inland valley ; but it is spread in 

 the most gorgeous spectacles upon the heavens, in the 

 infinitely varied forms and arrangements of clouds, and 

 in their equally beautiful lights, shades, and colors. 

 Hence the man of cultivated sentiment, who takes 

 pleasure in surveying the beauties of a terrestrial land- 

 scape, feels no less delight in contemplating the scenery 

 of the heavens. Ev€ry morning, noon, and evening. 



