114 
BRAMBLES AND BAY LEAVES. 
are but shadows of real things. Therefore, the Deity 
sends the glory of youth before the soul, that it may 
avail itself of the beautiful bodies, as aids to its recollec¬ 
tion of the good and fair.'” * And, although the first 
utterances of the Inner Life are seen in the youth in the 
love of Nature, and a growing fondness, and a kindling 
sympathy for that higher beauty, which is in itself im 
personal, and beyond the stretch of thought, and which 
may flash upon him from the sunset, the gleam of water¬ 
falls which leap amid wild islands green, the silence or 
the sleep of nature, or the dove-like eyes of the loved 
one of his heart; yet, this is but the first spark of a sen¬ 
timent, which shall hereafter enlarge into a warm and 
generous flame, to light up all the world with the radi¬ 
ance of a new hope, and to bring the bosom in which it 
burns nearer to God. The awakening of the soul to the 
perception of beauty, encircling and multiplied, is its 
first step to the appreciation of beauty special. Then 
it expands in a sentiment more lofty and pure, and love 
becomes the ruling passion of the heart, and is a wreath 
of flowers upon manhood's brow. This new delight is 
but a sympathy made forceful and predominating, and 
for us it re-makes the world, and forges all nature into 
spangles and stars, and summer sheen, and song, and 
makes every leaf and cloud articulate. 
“ It gives tlie brow of age 
A smack of youth, and makes the lip of youth 
Shed perfumes exquisite.” 
* Emerson. 
