DECEMBER. 
And as when all the summer-trees are seen 
So bright and green, 
The Holly-leaves a sober hue display 
Less bright than they, 
But when the bare and wintry woods we see, 
What then so cheerful as the Holly Tree ? 
So serious should my youth appear among 
The thoughtless throng; 
So would I seem amid the young and gay 
More grave than they; 
That in my age as cheerful I might be 
.As the green winter of the Holly Tree. 
Southey. 
VER, indeed, was Mr. Wilberforce more evidently happy 
than in that calm old age on which he entered with the 
elasticity of youth, and the simplicity of childhood. 
Gay, busy, social, and affable, tender without softness, 
and witty without sting, he was still the delight of old 
and young; and whether he was joining in the f animated 
talk amongst the young hands,’ or discoursing with his 
remaining equals, it was in the busiest and happiest groups that he 
was always to be found. His days at Highwood were very regularly 
spent. He rose soon after seven, spent the first hour and a half in 
his closet ; then dressed, hearing his reader for three-quarters of an 
hour, and by half-past nine met his household for family worship; 
always a great thing in his esteem. 
After family prayers, which occupied about half-an-hour, he never 
failed to sally forth for a few minutes 
‘ To take the air, and hear the thrushes sing.’ 
He enjoyed this stroll exceedingly. ‘ A delightful morning. Walked 
out and saw the most abundant dewdrops sparkling in the sunbeams 
on the grass-plat. How it calls forth the devotional feelings in the morn¬ 
ing when the mind is vacant from worldly business, to see all nature 
