The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-06-16
For the Literary Echo.
Fading Away.

wonders OF nature l behold the earth
covered with green, the grass just spring.
ing forth, resembling the flush of velvet,
and ask myself, for what useful purpose
was the earth so covered. Was it not
that we might view our broad hills and
distant fields without pain For what
color is better adapted to the eye than
that which carpets the earth Every
thing around us is subservient to our
good use, in its season, from the first
appearance of vegetation in the Spring
until Spring again returns, as nature
presents her ever-varying scene. AS
Spring advances we have numerous
Towering plants increasing in beauty
and variety as time passes on. AS soon
as the suns warm rays have bid the
frost depart, the crocus with its broad
fiat green ball and white blossom, makes
its appearance, as if bidding us to rejoice
that Winter no longer is here. We
soon see the daffodil and myrtle each
teaching their lesson. A few days more
and larger and more pleasing blooms
are presented to our view, but at last
the hot breath of summer seems to
wither the expanding flowers and the
early ones fade away and are forgotten
or unheeded.
Among the last which grace the
declining season are the splendid dahlias
which call forth our praise in behalf of
their beauty, but alas soon to be for
got, for times witherng hand is upon
them. So Of all that is fair, it grows
until it arrives at a certain state of per-
fection, then it withers and fades away.
We 60 into the garden and there see
not only flowers, but vegetables for the
sustenance Of living beings. Time brings
them to perfection, and if not made use
of in their proper season, they waste and
decay. We see the trees put forth
their leaves, blossom and bring forth their
fruit in their season. We see the groves
and forests sit beneath their cooling
shades and wonder at their magnifcence,
but falling leaf reminds us that they
too are fading away. Winter has come.
No flowers appear except on such plants
as are chilled from the inclement
weather. Even the greenhouse plants
can scarcely force open their blossoms.
The leaves of trees and stems of all
annual plants decay, and all are in
ruins save some hardy evergreen, as the
pine, spruce, and beautiful running
ground pine, which in their bright and
living-green, welcome merry Christmas,
anniversary of our Savior's birth. But
the falling foliage and decayed branches
tell to plainly that these in their turn
must fade away. We now no longer
love to roam abroad in the fields and
pastures, but cling to the freside and
social circle to while away the sweet en-
joyments of home, with some favorite
author or piece of music. What can
exhilerate or depress the mind more than
music. Let Such as love it listen to its
soft strains, and if solemn and depressed,
you will see the teardrop glisten in the
eye; but if enlivening and merry the
soul is raised as if enjoying something
more than earthly-a foretaste of that
which will never fade away.
But we turn to history and there find
who were before us and in what their
happiness consisted. While they en-
joyed the gifts of bountiful Providence
do We find them in an enlightened state |;
Do we see vessels spreading their can
vas and visiting all parts of the earth on
ocean, lake or river' Do we see them
gliding along regardless of wind and
waves, as if moved by some unknown
hand Do we see thajron horse, day
and night with unparalleled speed unit
ing distant places' Do we see news
flying on the wings of lightning Do
we see all nations united in the bonds of
fraternal love 7 No. Barbarism COW
cred the earth, and gross darkness the
people.