Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-11-07
TIE BEAUTIES OF NATURE.


Fr IN an interesting article in the new
Western Review, descriptive Of the
flowers Of the Valley Of the Mississippi
we extract the following Introductory
reflections, which are alike creditab!e
to the hand and the heart of the editor -
In fitting up this magnificent universe
in which God mas placed us, every thing
seems to have been formed with double
reference to utility and beauty. La the
arrangements of the Creator we can see
no reason, a priori, why the predominant
colors of vegetable nature, should not
have been crimson, or blue, instead OF
green. Every one has felt indeed that
this last is the most pleasing color to the
eye. But every one has not looked be-
yond this fact, TO the actual wisdom,
contrivance and benevolence Of Prov-
dcnce in cIo.hing nature with this cheer
iul and delightful color. Colors, in which
light abounds, cause a painful contraction
of the pupil Of the eye, to exclude the
redundan; glare. Colors, in which shade
is IN excess, cause an expansi. n, equally
painful, that sufficient lumber Of rays
may be received, to give the picture in
clear relief. Green is that color of nature
il which light and shade are neulralized
in balancing proportions. For instance,
an exact mixture in equal prouortions of
white and black, constitutes the delight
lui hue OF green, on which the eye reposes
with untlring satisfaction, and IN viewing
which, its nerves are never strained with
excess or lack ofrays; and for this reason, +,
| undoubtedly, it j, that vegetable na'ure
is clothed with green IN preference T."
any other hue. Every time, then, in
which we contemplate nature, when
robed in the verdure of Spring. we ought
to look through The physical beauy of
the spectacle, To the manifest and merci-
liil regard of the All Good to our comfort
and enjopmcnt,. in the most delightful
| and perfect Of all our senses, that of
| vision
In the same manner II might have
| pleased the AUTHOR of Nature to have
| prcst n,ed us the seed and fruits of the
( vaJious trees, shrubs, and plants on the
naked stem, or from cup Of foliage,
instead Of flowers But, apparently, to
| relieve the monOtony OF beauty ia the
universal vcrdure, Providence has seen
! lit To- cradle tins infant seed and fruit in
an ambrosal nest OF flowers, where in a
I mysterious process OF generation, found
to be more analogous TO the beginning
of animal existence, in the same proper
ton as it is most intimately explored the
young seeds and fruits reposc in pavillons
more gorgeous than those Of monarchs,
and breathing airs more aromatic than
those of 'Araby the blesi.' Hence, too,
ns one Of The benevolent intentions in
the formation Of flowers, seems to be to
relieve the monotony Of verdure TO the
eye, tho forms, the hues, The MEETINGS Of
one shade into another in flowers, have
that magnificent and infinite variety
which we discover in that kingdom. At
the same time, that the eye might be
more delighted in contemplating the
splcndor of blossoms, ri rayed in a beau
ty, to which the glory Of Solomon might
not be compared, they emit a perfume,
so rich and exquisite, as to SET at nought
al! tho efforts Of art sad luxury to imiiste