The Columbian fountain., 1846-03-26
Mountains,

In his eyes the arch of heaven assumes
brighter blue, the woods are painted with
a richer green, and the loveliest forms of
created things appear still more lovely.
The further have wandered in this world
Of wonders, the more deeply have been
Impressed with the power, the wisdom,
and the goodness of its Creator; nor
would willingly cross moor or mountain,
hill or valley, without bending my knees,
or lifting up my heart in thanksgiving to
the bounteous bestower of every good and
perfect gift"
Such were the words Of the traveller, as
he sat with Mr.. Lovel and his three sons,
in the arbour Of the beautiful garden of
Elm-grove house.
The traveller was man of thoughtful
cast, and, unlike the generality Of persons
who have visited distant countries, little
disposed to indulge in discourse, unless ap-
piled to for information by those around
him. This disposition to remain silent
was, however, hardly ever observable when
young people were with him; for then,
with glow of good humor on his intelli-
gent face, he freely related the wonderful
things which he had seen in his travels,
and appeared to delight in the pleasure vis-
ible in the sparkling eyes of his youthful
hearers. He was man of great know
ledge and decided pety, and so agreeably
connected his observations on the goodli-
ness Of this world with the glory of the
next, that his remarks were as edifying as
they were interesting.
Mr.. Lovel had asked his guest to give
his sons some account Of the different
mountains of the earth Leonard, the young
est of the three boys, had climbed upon
the travellers knee; and Edmund and Gill
bert were gazing with the most fixed at
tention, while he thus commenced his OBJ
servations:
81 hope, my dear young friends, that
shall succeed in giving you pleasure and in
struction. As you have only been accus-
toned to ascend the hills Of the surrounding
neighborhood, you can form but very inn
perfect idea Of the high towering noun
tains of other countries, whose heads are
covered with constant SHOWS, and against
whose broad breasts the storm bursts with
unrelenting fury. In ascending these, the
traveller mounts above the clouds, hears
the thunder rolling, and sees the lightning
flash beneath his feet. Such vast objects
and sublime scenes impress the thoughtful
mind with the wondrous and almighty
power of God. Thousands of years have
these great elevations been standing; but
though such period may be great to us,
it is not so with their great Creator, for
one day is with the Lord as a thousand
years, and thousand years as one day."
"There is only one consequence that |
have reason to fear from your relation of
Mountains said Mr.. Lovel, "and that is,
lest my boys should all take it into their
heads to set off on their travels to see the
places you describe. Now, three travel
ers in one family will never do. How is
this affair to be managed Edmund 20
Edmund Let us first hear of the noun
tains, if you please, father, and settle the
affair OF our travels afterwards.
Traveller In describing the mountains
/ shall not keep back the danger which
exists in ascending and descending them !;
and this may, perhaps, appear greater than
my three young friends may like to en-
counter.
There are so many mountains in this
world, celebrated for one thing or another,
that it would take week to describe them;
all, therefore, that can do is to say some
thing of the most remarkable among them.
Many an hour have toiled up their steep
sides, worn and weary, painting for breath,
and heartily wishing myself al the summit;
but when that was gained, it abundantly
rewarded me for all my pains. In Britain,
have toird up the steep Of Ben Nevis,
Cadar Idrs and bleak Penman-mawr
The broad breast Of proud Snowden and Skiddaw,
And the shivering sides of Nam Tor.
Admiring his wondrous creation,
Il Who rules o'er the earth and the sky,
| sHow great are his power and his glory
Alas what atom am !"
Nothing strikes us more forcibly with a
sense of our own littleness than the sight of
broad breasted, high-towering mountain;
for we are such grains Of sand in compar-
son with it, that we cannot but be struck
, with the amazing difference. A man or a
, boy may be filled with pride so long as he
moves among his fellow creatures but
I when he goes forth into the wide world,
! ascending its mountains, traversing its
!. plains, and crossing its mighty waters he
learns to form more humble estimate OF
! himself He is such speck in existence,
L - Il L.,