American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-01-02
EXTRACTS FROM "WINrER EVENINGS
BIZ VICESLWUS KNOX, u. ID.

In the summer season. the warm temperature OF
the air, the beauty of vivid foliage, and the smiles
Of universal nature. allure men from their studops
retirement, and tempt them to roam in the shine
from flower to flower; but when the days arc gradu-
ally contracted and the cold weather causes the
swallow to wing her way to more genial chimes, the
butterfly to retire to a warm and safe concealment
and the leaf to assume the yellow and russell .lnRe
of autumnal decay, end at length to drop from It's
parent branch, the man Of sentiment sympalhlses
with the scene around him, shrinks under his roof
and into himself; and seeks that solace which the
sunny hill and the verdant mead no longer afford
him, at the fire side, in the converse oil those whom
he loves esteems; in an elegant and philosophical
solitude. in reading, in writing, and in contempla-
ting the productions of during the repose of ma
turc.
There seems indeed to be something in the gar
ish splendor of bright sunshine rather unavorablc
to contemplation. One would almost concludes that
the powers Of the mind like vapors, dissipated
in the warm months. and concentrated in the cold.
Heat undoubtedly relaxes the body. and causes an
nertness which dIsposes the mind TO partakr OF any
diversion which offers itself in the open air rather
than retire to the aborious occupations OF ieclusc
study. Cold has contrary effect; and therefore
the winter avors the operations OF the mind and
induces it to exert itself with peculiar yinor.
But the length oil the evenings IN winter, which
renders it essary to find scdentary and do
este diversion, may also contribute to render read
ing more avoritc amusement In winter than IN
summer. Books enable tie Imagination 10 create
summer in the midst oil frost and snow, and, vi h
the assistance of culinary fire, whose comlortsbe
warmth supplies, round The parlcr hearth, the alb
sencr OF the sun, believe the winter is considered
by few as less pleasurabe upon the whole than the
season of soft breezes and solar effulgence.
The student shuts the door, while the chill wind
whistles round his room, and the rain beats upon
The es and pavements srs his fire. snuffs his can
he elements. II he chuses to transport himself 10
warm climates, to regions delightful as The vale Of
Tempe, or even to riot in ali the enchanting scenes
of Elysum he has only to take a volume from his
book-css and. with every Comfort of ease and safe
~ at home. he can richly feast his capacious magi-
nation.
! The philosophy if there really be airy such, which
teaches utter contempt OF the opinion OF man
kind, is favorable to beneficial quality, end con
duces chiefly the increase OF that silly pride from
which it derives its origin.
! true courage which fears no. hing else The lea
of God arises not from tmnrous and weak mind
as the n6del pretendcrs to philosophy represent it
| appeal to facts in the history Of mankind lIav,
not the brayest and best in ell ages and nations
displayed a reverential awe OF God II only TIN
weak had patronlzed religion, il would lolg ag'
have been exploded.