

65 CONSOLATION. 
scarce cease to gaze upon its vast shade; nay, 
we could wish to be always reposing under it, 
—to listen to the murmurs of its branches, and 
breathe its delicious perfumes. The magni- 
ficent chestnut, and the slender acacia, have 
each disputed the right of the Linden tree to 
hold a place in the public avenues and prome- 
nades; but they, and fashion united, have not 
succeeded in banishing it thence. 
Reve 
CONSOLATION. 
SNOWDROP. 
Tur north wind whistles, and the hoar frost 
clothes the verdure-despoiled trees; an uniform 
white carpet covers the earth,—the birds with- 
hold their tuneful song,—and the sealed waters 
cease to murmur as they roll along; the rays of 
the sun, enfeebled by the density of our atmo- 
sphere, shed a gloomy light over our fields; and 
the heart of man is sad, while all nature reposes 
in torpid tranquillity. 
Thus Madame de la Tour describes the state 
of nature, when suddenly a delicate flower 
pierces through the veil of snow which had con- 
cealed it. It has been aptly termed by her 
countrymen Perce neige, from the quality 
just named ; and is with equal propriety called 


