The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-07-09
THE REP UBLIC.
SUMMER SKETCHES-NO. 2.
BY MARY J. WINDLE. EI.

by MARY }. WlNDLE.
SMANNoNDALE SPRINGS, July 6, 1853.
AS we opened our window this morning the air
came in freshly and sweetly as fit were freighted
with the fragrance of all the blossoms around
1, The nightingale and the robin announced
the rising orb Of day, while the flowers UNI
closed their buds in the transparent morning ray,
waiting forth their delicious odors. We could
not resist the invitation, and left our darkcned
chamber for morning walk
"God made the country and man made the
town" Cowper said in poetic phrase, and thou
sands have repeated the sentiment in prose and
poetry 1t is indeed God 8 noblest architecture.
Here birds and flowers are fresh from the hands
of their Maker, and natures hymn is more sincere
and touching because it comes not from the gid
ed prisons of captive birds We walked on, step |
ping carefully lest feet should crush the little
violet which sheds it's perfume on the lower earth,
as though too lowly to mnge with the clouds OF
fragrance emitted by the lofter plants above
and the dew flower, that jewelled gossamer which
nimble fingers spread from green to green in the
spirit freighted nighttime. Thousands of purple
eyes looked up lovingly from deserted fields,
birds waved their wings and wheeled and carolled
sparkled, an undine laughing from the heart of
every bubble; while the winds murmured their
music among the old trees, and then swept down
ward from their high communion and stopped
wooingly to kiss our check, leaving touch of
balm upon our lips The golden sunshine glow
ed in our path, or coquetted with cool, fresh
shadows which invited to dreamy repose by the
wayside; while among the foliage fairy-like
robin was perched upon a bough practising lit
tie duet with its partner in the fragrant foliage
lust beyond the fence. Glad voices greeted us
from shrub, and tree and flower, till it seemed as
though each had in it living soul. We paused
to daily lovingly with the flowers blooming around
u.s. We love fowers-those rainbows of earth,
gilt with the seven-fold beams of heaven, pro-
claiming the covenant mercy Of God, his tender
ness and love-those smiles Of creation so bright
and radiant gladdening the waste places of Ma
| ture, and making the wilderness rejoice-those
unfallen children of Paradise whose pure and fra
grant breath distills balm into the sn-sick and
weary heart, and fills it with innocent and holy
thoughts. If we had been born in heather land,
and worshipped any of Gods works, it would
have been flowers. They are to us living, breath
inc, animated beings. They talk to us with their
/ and green leaves in the wind, they seem to woo
our caresses, and we long to fold them in our
arms and hold them against our hearts
Even as we write there steals upon our spirit
sweet, delicious odor, exhaled from cluster OF
blossoms placed in the centre of the table, and
the whole apartment is perfumed with their aro-
ma. It is modest little flower, boasting no glow
ing tint or gorgeous dye; yet had God created no
other blossom than this, breathed no other fra
GRANGE on the air than its exquisite perfume, we
should still have an impression of beauty, and
grace, and love unspeakable, a token of goodness
celestial, of mercy divine. Not love flowers J
Alas for the young heart that conceives senti-
ment like this 3ra r.E
| But flowers, and birds, and sunlight were for
gotten, and merged in the surprising grandeur OF
the scene that rose maiesticay before on reach
ing an eminence near the springs The gray,
lbald brows of a vast mountain chain formed the
stupendous background of one of the most sublime
views in Virginia. They doomed out like mighty
piants-Titans of the earth, in all their rugged
and awful beauty-casting into denser shadow the
vast forest belt that girded them round. thrill
of wonder and delight pervaded my mind. The
spectacle hoated dimly my sight; my eyes
were blinded with tears-blinded with the excess
of beauty. turned to the right and to the left;
never had beheld so many striking objects blend
ed into one mighty whole! Had we dropped down
here from the clouds ignorant of locality, we
would think of Switzerland or Italy, or fancy
ourselves an excursion with WORDSWORTH
among tile romance of his lake scenery, or with
Sir Walter Scott in some fairy spot of his be-
loved highlands, s..s .... s,s H
! The air, free from the dust, floating particles,
and cxhalations of the city, was here perfectly
transparent, and the sky Of richer blue. Above
our head waved the leaves of veteran of the for
est while the birds from it's branches treated us
to their liquid Whistles. They seemed holding a
congress in that old tree, intent only upon them
selves, not caring for the fate of their old friend
that had borne their weight from the period OF its
great beauty until now. But one of the orators
soon left probably in disgust; he means OF course
to appeal to his constituents IN the tarther "ood'
and ssdefine his position.
! Turning in another direction, we were scarce
w less charmed with the scene that was there pre-
sented. The house half empowered in rich foil
are. with the middle space dotted over with
neat cabins, Law before us. 1t is entered by
broad fight of steps leading to its portco, from
which two doors give admission into a dining
room and parlor. The upper portlcos furnsh
fine promenade in wet weather, and add much to
the lightness of the edifice. From this admirable
foreground gentle decvity spreads away to the
glittering Shenandoah, while in front a lawn,
enameed with a rich coating of verdure, is rolled
out like carpet and dotted with lambs peace
! fully grazing or indoIently reclining upon the
thick grass. Beyond the lawn, and extending
farther into the plantation, are fields containing
cattle reposng feeding, or standing IN social
clusters. On our left stands the neat building of
the slaves belonging to the establishment, the
smoke issuing from its chimney curing gracefully
upward, and floating away ON the breeze III thih
LIZ. alA..l G., u,,ini tic nsnect that Won might