118 
LETTERS FROM ALABAMA, 
being left behind, died out one by one, and the 
mighty winners of the race at length found them- 
selves comparatively few in number, and divided 
by vacant spaces sufficiently wide to allow of the 
expansion of lateral branches, and the formation of 
verdant crowns of interwoven foliage. 
And thus we see the original forest. The ground 
is commonly clear of underwood to a remarkable \ 
degree, so that it is by no means unusual for hunters 
to pursue their game on horseback at full speed 
through these sylvan recesses. A few slender 
shrubs occur, of species that delight in the green- 
wood shade ; and in some parts the trees are united 
by trailing vines and prickly creepers that clog up 
the way ; but these are rather found in the woods 
of second growth than in the pristine forests. 
To walk in the forest alone is a high gratifica- 
tion. The perfect stillness and utter solitude, 
unbroken, commonly, by even ordinary woodland 
sounds and sights, tranquillize and sober the 
mind ; the gloom has a solemn effect, for there is 
no light but what penetrates through the green 
leaves far above our head ; the range of vision all 
around is limited by the innumerable straight and 
smooth trunks, exactly alike on every side, in 
which the fancy becomes lost. The devout spirit 
is drawn upward in such a scene, which imagina- 
tion presently turns into a magnificent temple, 
whose far distant roof is borne on uncounted 
columns ; and indeed it is a glorious temple, one 
worthy of the Hand that reared .it. 
Father, thy hand 
Hath rear’d those venerable columns, Thou 
Didst weave this verdant roof. Thou didst look down 
Upon the naked earth, and forthwith rose 
All these fair ranks of trees. They in thy sun 
