444 CELESTIAL SCENERY. 



of a lovely countenance seems to partake of a more spir- 

 itual character in the mellowing light of the moon ; for 

 this luminary brings us nearer heaven than the sun, by 

 our sequestration in the darkness that surrounds us. 



The moon is regarded by those who are melancholy 

 or affected with grief as a heavenly sympathizer. They 

 welcome her soft and pensive light, to divert the soul 

 from the misery of its own thoughts and to breathe into 

 it that serenity which pervades her countenance. To 

 a religious mind this fair orb seems very properly a 

 heavenly gift intended for the refreshment of the soul, 

 especially as the physical benefits conferred upon us by 

 the moon are not apparent to reason and observation. 

 Hence we hail this luminary when ascending from the 

 misty verge of the horizon as a fair messenger of heaven, 

 and we are inclined to pay to her the homage of the soul 

 as to a living deity. 



In ancient mythology the moon is a serene goddess 

 enthroned among the constellations, — the daughter of 

 Jove, the heavenly huntress, the chaste Luna, the in- 

 corruptible Diana. She is the embodiment of all purity, 

 of all blessedness, of tranquillity, and of hallowed and 

 constant affection: She is the guardian of innocence, the 

 protectress of virtue, the light of heaven in darkness, 

 the guide of hope in despondency, the soother of grief, 

 and the source of that tranquil inspiration that comes 

 from peaceful themes and pleasant recollections. Her 

 course in heaven is the path of peace, and her light is 

 the same that dwells in the souls of heroes and inspired 

 bards. 



The light of the moon guides our steps without clearly 

 revealing our presence to others. She is therefore the 

 symbol of benevolence, yielding to the fugitive the means 

 of finding safety and granting him her light for his own 

 deliverance while it is insufficient to betray him. It is 



