THE ANTHEM OF MORN. 117 



out under the open sky, and how would the various per- 

 fumes from vegetation suggest to him all the individual 

 scenes and objects that have been imprinted on his 

 memory ! 



There is a peculiar feeling of hope and cheerfulness 

 that attends a summer morning walk, and spreads its 

 happy influence over all the rest of the day. The pleas- 

 ant stillness, apart from the stirring population; the 

 amber glow of heaven that beams from underneath 

 successive arches of crimson and vermilion, constantly 

 widening and brightening into the full glory of sunrise ; 

 the melodious concert of warblers from every bush and 

 tree, constantly changing its character by the silence of 

 the first performers and the joining of new voices, — all 

 conspire to render the brief period from dawn to sunrise 

 a consecrated hour, and to sanctify it to every one's 

 memory. I am inclined to attribute the healthfulness 

 of early rising to these circumstances rather than to the 

 doubtful salubrity of the dewy atmosphere of morn. 

 The exercise of the senses while watching the beautiful 

 gradations of colors, through which the rising luminary 

 passes ere his full form appears in sight, is attended with 

 emotions like those which might be supposed to attend 

 us at the actual opening of the gates of Paradise. "We 

 return home after this ramble warmed by new love for 

 the beautiful objects of nature, and with all our feelings 

 so harmonized by the sweet influences of morn as to 

 find increased delight in the performance of our duties 

 and the exercise of our affections. 



