90 THROUGH LIBRARY WINDOWS 



So is this art worked best alone in a quiet and 

 restful silence. 



This Fairy Grotto is so often at the close of 

 day our spirits trysting-place. Why, I know 

 not, yet places by virtue of the law of associa- 

 tion are oft peculiarly consecrated. Here we 

 consciously recognize it. When daylight goes 

 slowly and steadily away, and the crimson and 

 golden after-glow fade out, and the dull gray 

 light settles down as an enwrapping mantel on 

 all nature and old earth grows sombre and 

 silent, and night coming on to rule in the in- 

 terest of rest, then is the hour of thought, the 

 triumph and freedom of the spirit, the inter- 

 change of heaven and earth, reflection and an- 

 ticipation, soul and Oversoul in communion! 

 The day came bright and sparkling with splen- 

 did opportunities and is gone, its duties are done 

 or undone, its records are written, and mem- 

 ory, swift-winged, goes over it all and con- 

 science emphasizes as it will, and we hear it 

 and feel it. There are some remissnesses, but 

 so many more pleasures recorded! Our pastor, 

 Dr. Archibald, sitting here one evening with a 

 group of friends and thoroughly enjoying every 

 moment, said, "How beautiful is this arbor 

 spot, a sort of re-creating factory for the re- 

 newal of jaded bodies and minds." We all felt 



