THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
301 
tint the threatening face with a beauty that may 
mitigate its terrors. The night must be calm, 
the moon full and bright, and the atmosphere 
hung with a misty veil of suitable texture. 
When there is a juncture of these conditions, 
then, over some placid valley sleeping beneath 
the moonbeams, the coy visitant comes softly 
and chastely forth. Her garments are inwoven 
with mild pencilling of dyes, generally red, 
green, yellow, and sometimes blue, so delicate¬ 
ly blended as to charm the eye that gazes upon 
the queenly visitant. 
“This beautiful phenomenon has been very 
aptly called the ‘ Iris of the nightand it is to 
be regretted that it is not oftener seen adorning 
the lunar landscape. In threescore years, with 
much careful observation, and a part of the time 
under most favorable conditions, only three of 
these lunar wonders have been observed by me; 
but for these special favors most devout grati¬ 
tude is felt. My eyes were enriched by the 
sight, and new conceptions of creative wisdom 
were impressed upon mind and heart. The 
tongue can say with a greater emphasis, ‘ He 
hath made everything beautiful in his time.’ 
“ There are many other beautiful phenomena 
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