Oldalképek
PDF
ePub

sayings, and the names of several plants which flower at this time, are derived from it.

The arrival of the cuckoo is regularly preceded some days by that of the wryneck, a small bird, singular in its attitudes and plumage, and which has a peculiar note or cry, easily distinguished by those who have once heard it. Other birds, which are seen among us only in the warmer months, as the redstart, whitethroat, and yellow wagtail, appear in April.

A considerable number of plants flower this month, and, with the blossoms of fruit bearing trees and shrubs, form a very agreeable spectacle, as well on account of their beauty, as of the promise they give of future benefits.

Reflections on Spring.

THOMSON.

-Forth in the pleasing Spring His beauty walks, His tenderness and love. Wide flush the fields; the softening air is balm ; Echo the mountains round; the forest smiles; And every sense, and every heart is joy. WHAT a wonderful revolution, indeed, in the universal aspect of Nature does the return of this lovely season exhibit! After having been long bound up with frost, or overspread with snow, the earth once more displays all her variety of plants and flowers, is arrayed with the most beautiful and enlivening verdure, variegated with a numberless variety of hues, and exhales odours so exquisitely pure and fragrant, that every sense of every creature is awake to inexpressible delight.

None of the other seasons can vie with Spring in loveliness and amenity. It has the same order among Vol. I. P

them that the morning has among the divisions of the day, and youth among the stages of life. It may be called the favourite season of harmony; for the warbling of the feathered tribes has been observed to have now a peculiar wildness and sweetness of melody. Nor is its sweet influence confined to the songsters of the it pervades the whole animal creation.

ITS INFLUENCE ON MAN.

groves:

In the opening of Spring, and the subsequent renova. tion of Nature, how very sensibly is the human soul exhilarated by that sense of pleasure, which inspires the birds with melody, and the whole creation with joy. In this season, when we contemplate the smiling scenes around, those secret overflowings of gladness are diffused over the soul, which compose what Milton expressively calls "vernal delight," and which I have heard denomi. nated, with no less beauty and propriety," the smile of nature." What an exquisite sense of this does the virtuous philosopher experience! The creation, particularly in this lovely season, is a perpetual feast to the mind of a good man, From all that he beholds, he receives instruction and delight. Providence has adorned the whole creation with such a variety of beautiful and useful objects, that it is impossible for a mind, not imbruted by mere sensual enjoyments, to contemplate the scenes around without some of the sweetest internal sensations of which man can be susceptible. But when to the delightful satisfaction which rural objects afford, we add an occasional attention to the studies of natural philosophy, our relish for the beauties of the creation is quickened, and rendered not only pleasing to the imagination, but to the understanding; and it is an unquestionable truth, that the man who extends his inquiries into the works of Nature

3

multiplies,

multiplies, in some degree, the inlets to happiness. The philosopher is not content with the lolling murmur of brooks, or the enlivening melody of birds, with the shade of imbowering woods, the verdure of fields, or the embroidery of meadows. He will reflect, on the contrary, on the infinite variety of benevolent purposes to which they are all subservient, and the wonders of that Divine Wisdom of which they all exhibit such impressions. While the pleasures of the eye, in course, are heightened, his soul is exalted to that rational admiration, which insensibly leads to love and adoration; and while he "walks superior amid the glad creation, musing praise,. and looking lively gratitude", with a kind of sacredecstasy he exclaims,

These are thy glorious works, Parent of Good,
Almighty! Thine this universal frame,

Thus wondrous fair: Thyself how wondrous then
Unspeakable!

MILTON.

[ocr errors]

While unusual sweetness thus inspires the whole creation, with a purer joy, the moral philosopher is led to enquire into the natural effects of this delightful influense, not only on the frame, but on the heart of man. The affections, he is fond to imagine, are all attuned to benevolence, and each discordant passion soothed to serenity and peace.

With what a generous satisfaction too will Humanity reflect on the restorative effects of Spring! The con valescents so lately wretched, so long oppressed by the heavy load of pain, and langour, and disease, now feel as it were a new creation; and sweet are the cheering sen. sations, sweet the unwonted joys, that now recail them to the exertions of strength and the happiness. of health. P: 2.

1TS

ITS EFFECTS NOT ALIKE ON ALL

But as the human mind is not universally the same, the renovation of Spring sheds not on all alike its entivening influence. Some persons, at times, experience sensations very different from that gaiety which is supposed to be inseparable from the vernal season, Amid the bright verdure of the earth, the gay variety of trees and flowers, and the serenity of the blue concave, a kind of tranquil melancholy enters into all their solitary moments, which the beauties of the landscape, and the melody of the birds, will rather sooth than overcome. A. mong the various reasons that may be given for the occurrence of such pensive ideas, is the recollection, perhaps that the spring brings back with it the remembrance, but not the return of our youthful scenes of hilarity and strength; and that while Nature, in regular vicissitude, is renewed in youth and beauty, man hastes apace to that wintry state of infirmity and decrepitude, when the brightest spring must cease to charm, and life itself expire, under the pressure of accumulated years.

LESSONS TO BE LEARNED.

Let then considerations of this kind inculcate some useful lesson, and they may, at times, be innocently, if not too frequently, indulged. Let them teach the young and gay the necessity of making use, at the same time, of the spring of the year and the spring of life; of acquir. ing, while their minds may be yet impressed with new images, the love of innocent enjoyments, and a passion for useful and virtuous wisdom. In fine, let them remember, as a fine writer has expressed it," that a blighted spring makes a barren year, and that the vernal flowers, how. ever beautiful and gay, are only introduced by Nature as preparatives for autumnal fruits."

To

To persons advanced in life, true wisdom will not fail to administer the noblest motives for manly consolation and rejoicing hope. A good man will reflect, that since it is impossible for his declining years to return to their first spring of health and vigour, it is yet in his power to soften the inconveniences he may feel, by the cultiva. tion of such virtues, and the enjoyment of such pleasures, as have a natural tendency to produce an easy and con tented mind. Taught to look into himself, he will wise. ly reflect on the vanity of setting his heart on external enjoyments. He will feel nothing of that unsocial disposition which the gloom of austerity excites. On the contrary, a pensive tenderness, a serene but not unpleas ing melancholy, will be diffused over his soul, inspiring the sweet tranquility of benevolence, yet awake, at the same time, to all the active energy of goodness. Hence the charms of a virtuous life, and of a devout intercourse with the God of Seasons, "the Great Arbiter of life and death: For he knows "that his Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and: - though after his skin worms destroy his body, yet in his flesh shall he see God." Hence he looks forward, not merely with a serenity of soul, but with the aspirations of piety, and the triumph of anticipating faith, he looks forward to that blissful period, when the vicissitude of seasons shall be no more; when "the spirits of the just made perfect” shall enjoy the society of angels and archangels, resplendent in celestial beauty, and HAPPY IN PERPETUAL SPRING,

P 3

« ElőzőTovább »