THE FOREST. 
203 
tlie mind readily lays aside its daily littleness, and opens to higher 
thoughts, in silent consciousness that it stands alone with the 
works of God. The humble moss beneath our feet, the sweet 
flowers, the varied shrubs, the great trees, and the sky gleaming 
above in sacred blue, are each the handiwork of God. They were 
all called into being by the will of the Creator, as we now behold 
them, full of wisdom and goodness. Every object here has 
a deeper merit than our wonder can fathom ; each has a 
beauty beyond our full perception ; the dullest insect crawling 
about these roots lives by the power of the Almighty ; and the 
discolored shreds of last year's leaves wither away upon the lowly 
herbs in a blessing of fertility. But it is the great trees, stretch- 
ing their arms above us in a thousand forms of grace and strength, 
it is more especially the trees which fill the mind with wonder and 
praise. 
Of the infinite variety of fruits which spring from the bosom of 
the earth, the trees of the wood are the greatest in dignity. Of 
all the works of the creation which know the changes of life and 
death, the trees of the forest have the longest existence. Of all 
the objects which crown the gray earth, the woods preserve un- 
changed, throughout the greatest reach of time, their native char- 
acter : the works of man are ever varying their aspect ; his towns 
and his fields alike reflect the unstable opinions, the fickle wills 
and fancies of each passing generation ; but the forests on his 
borders remain to-day the same they were ages of years since. 
Old as the everlasting hills, during thousands of seasons they have 
put forth, and laid down their verdure in calm obedience to the 
decree which first bade them cover the ruins of the Deluge. 
But, although the forests are great and old, yet the ancient 
