312 CLOUDS. 



derived from these appearances, adapted to. illustrate 

 their sacred themes. Hence Jehovah, who set his bow- 

 in a cloud as the token of a covenant between heaven and 

 earth, is represented as making clouds his chariot and 

 pavilion when ascending into heaven, or when descending 

 on earth to speak to the messengers of his will. 



Every scene in the universe is the cause, when we be- 

 hold it, of a peculiar and specific sensation. Our emotions 

 are as infinite as our thoughts, and Nature has provided 

 an infinite variety of scenes to harmonize with all, that 

 no existing susceptibility to pleasure shall be lost for the 

 want of something external to act upon it, and render it 

 a source of happiness. There are beams in the counte- 

 nance of morn and even that irradiate into our souls a 

 feeling of serene delight ; and it is no marvel that Nature 

 should seem, as the poets have described her, to smile 

 upon us in the sunshine that sparkles in the morning 

 dews and gilds the evening sky, or in the moonlight that 

 reveals to us a new firmament of wonders among the 

 silvery clouds of night. The forms and tints of clouds 

 produce effects upon the mind that vary with the hour 

 of the day. In the morning there is a feeling of hope- 

 fulness attending the spectacle of the constantly increasing 

 splendor of the clouds, beginning with the dark purple 

 tints of dawn, and widening with beautiful radiating 

 undulations through their whole succession of hues into 

 perfect day. As we are prepared by the buoyant feelings 

 that come from the spectacle of dawn to enter with a glad 

 heart upon the duties of the day, we are equally inspired 

 by the spectacle of sunset with a sentiment of tranquillity 

 that prepares us for healthful repose. 



It is not difficult to understand that if the sun rose 

 clearly into the blue heavens without any changes except 

 from darkness to light, through all the degrees of twilight, 

 the charms of the morning would be greatly diminished. 



