AN OCTOBER DAY'S RAMBLE. 



529 



phenomenon, until the beginning of the eighteenth century." But 

 this I take to be explained by the fact of habits of observation being 

 less generally prevalent before that epoch, and of opportunities of 

 communicating intelligence being less obvious. 



I have amused myself by poetically arranging some of the principal 

 natural appearances of the delightful season now rapidly drawing to a 

 close, and I submit it to you, if you please, for insertion. It is, in 

 fact, a sketch from nature, and I hope you will think it not unlike the 

 original. 



Killeshandra, Oct. 30, 1833. 



AN OCTOBER DAY'S RAMBLE, A SKETCH FROM NATURE. 



BY RURICOLA. 



How lovely this October day ! 

 Mild Autumn still maintains his sway, 

 In part controll'd, but not subdued, 

 By tyrant Winter's sceptre rude. 



Come, and ere yet the miry way 

 Forbids us far a-field to stray, 

 Come, well-beloved, forth with me ! 

 For much thou lov'st to hear and see 

 Each rural sound, each rural sight, 

 Pure source of innocent delight ; 

 Now by the swiftly waning year 

 Made to the pensive mind more dear. 

 Or, if perchance domestic care, 

 Or health infirm, detain thee there, 

 Alone I go : the autumnal hour 

 O'er all things sheds a soothing pow'r ; 

 And grateful to the musing mood 

 Is then the rural solitude. 



How bright, and blue, and calm, and clear, 

 Appears the unclouded atmosphere ! 

 About the mountain's viewless head 

 The morn in wreathed folds was spread, 

 And vainly strained the inquiring eye 

 For stream or hedge, for earth or sky. 

 But, lo ! withdrawn the misty screen, 

 The far-off landscape smiles serene, 



