342 
RURAL HOURS. 
heavens, because they declare the approach' of night and her 
shadowy train ! 
Mark the broad land glowing in a soft haze, every tree and 
grove wearing its gorgeous autumnal drapery ; observe the vivid 
freshness of the evergreen verdure ; note amid the gold and 
crimson woods, the blue lake, deeper in tint at this season than at 
any other ; see a more quiet vein of shading in the paler lawns and 
pastures, and the dark-brown earth of the freshly-ploughed fields ; 
raise your eyes to the cloudless sky above, filled with soft and 
pearly tints, and then say, what has gloom to do with such a pic- 
ture ? Tell us, rather, where else on earth shall the human eye 
behold coloring so magnificent and so varied, spread over a field 
so vast, within one noble view ? In very truth, the glory of these 
last waning days of the season, proclaims a grandeur of beneficence 
which should rather make our poor hearts swell with gratitude at 
each return of the beautiful autumn accorded to us. 
Thursday, 12th. — Rather cool this afternoon. As we were 
walking to and fro, about twihght, a bat came flickering across 
our path several times. It was quite a small one, and perhaps 
inexperienced in life, for most of his kind have already disappeared 
— we have not seen one for some weeks. There are said to be 
five different kinds of bats in this State, and we have a good share 
here. One evening in the month of August, there were no less 
than five of these creatures in the house at the same time ; after 
a prolonged fight, two of them were routed ; the other three kept 
possession of the ground all night. 
Friday, 18th. — Delightful day. Long walk in the woods. 
Found a few asters and golden-rods, silver-rods, and everlastings, 
scattered about. The flowers are becoming rare, and chary of 
