The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1856-12-13
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DECEMBER,

Ii rs one OF the most cheerful emplOyments
for leisure hour. to go out into the fields,
under mild, open sky, TO study the various
appearances of nature that accompany the
changes of the seasons, and to note those phe-
noinena which are peculiar to a climate of
frost and snow. The inhabitant of the tropics
with his perpetual summer, who sees no
periodical changes except the alterations of
rain and drought, is deprived of a happy adj
vantage possessed by the ihhabitant of the
north; and with all the blessings of his vo-
| luptuous climate, is visited by smaller por-
ton of the moral enjoyments of life. In the
minds Of those who dwell in a northern lati-
tude, there are sentiments which are probably
never felt by the indolent dwrl!er in the land
of the date and the palm: and however poet
ical to us may seem the imagery drawn from
the pictures we have read of those blissful re-
gions, ours is most truly tn. regions of poetry
and of all those sentiments which poetry aims
to express.
1t will not he denied that in winter, nature
has comparatively but few attractions that
the woods and fields offer but few temptations
to ramble; and these are such as appeal to
the imagination, rather than to the senses, by
furnishing matter for sthdious reflection, and
calling up pleasing and poetic images The
man Of phlcgmatic mind. secs, in all these
phenomena. nothing but drcariness and de-
solaton while 10 the studious or the ina
glnative, every form Of vegetation OH the sur
face of the earth becomes an instructive les
son, or awakens train of imagery that in
spires him, on winters walk with buoy
ancy not even felt in the balmy days of June.
Then does he trace, with unalloytd delight,
every green leaf that seems budding out for
spring and in the general stiffness, every
| sound fr.,f,, nhrool h.- nj,
not surpassed by the melodies of summer
morning.
On these pleasant days of winter, which
are OF frequent occurrence IN our variable eli
mate, often indulge myself in solitary
ramble taking note of those forms of vegeta-
ton that remain unchanged, and of the still
greater number that lie folded in hyemal
sleep. For such excursions the only proper
time is when the earth is free from snow,
which, though btautfier Of the prospect,
conceais all minute objects that are strewed
upon the ground. or that are still fccbly vcge-
tallng under the protection of the woods.
he most prominent appearances are the re-
mains OF autu,nnal vegetation. The stalks Of
the faded a>tcrs are still erect, with their
downy heads shaking in the breeze, which
has already scattered their seeds upon the
ground and the more conspicuous tufts of
the gollen-rods are seen in noddng and ire
gular rows under the fences. or bending over
the ice that covers the meadows where they
grew. All these are but the faded ga1lands
Of nature, that pleasantly remind us of the
past festivities of summer, of cheerful toll, or
Studions recreation.
Nature never entirely conctals the beauties
OF the field and wood save when, for their
| protection, she covers them with snow. The
faded remains Of last summers vegetation
may have but little positive beauty; but to
the mind of the naturalist they are attractive
on account of the lessons they afford, and the
sentiments they awaken. But there are OBJ
jects in the wood which are neither faded nor
lcaHess; and many that are leaHess still re-
tain their beauty and the appearance of life.
Besides the evergrcens, many Of the herbs
that bear the early spring flowers still retain
their freshness, and spread out their green
leaves IN the protected nook or in the reccsscs
Of the fcrn-cov,rcd rocks. The leaves of the
wild strawberry and the cinqurcoil are always
green in the meadows, and those of the violet
on the sheltered slope of the hill. The crows
foot and the geranium are in many places as
fresh as in May; and the aquatic ranunculus
and the wild crosses are brightly glowing
with their emerald foliage, in the depths Of
the crystal watercourscs that remain unfrozen
beneath the wooded prccipice, Or i'll the messy
ravnes of the forest.
These phenomena arc douhly interesting as
evidences of the continued life Of the bcauti-
full things they represent, and of the invisible
and ever wntchful providence of nature.
Every step we take brings under our review
other similar curiosties Of vegetable life,
which, by reason of their commonncss, often
| escape our observation. On the sandy plain
the slender birch trees are loaded with thou
sands of purple aments, suspended from their
ilexile twigs, oil ready to burst into bloom
at the very first breath Of spring. In the wet
lands, where the surface is one continued
sheet of ice, the crowded alder bushes are so
full of these embryo blossoms, that their
branches seem to be hung with dark purple
fruit and the sweet fern of the upland pas
lures, in still mild weather, often family per-
fumes the atmosphere, with the scent of its
half developed leaves and flowers.
But the face of nature, at this time. is not
an unfruitful subject for the poet or the pain
ter. The evergrcens, if not more beautiful,
are more conspicuous than at any other sea-
son; and there are many beautiful streamelcts
that ripple through the woods, and often in
they depths find protection from the greatest
cold. Around these streams the embroider.
ing WosSes are as green as Tie grasses IN
May. The water-cresses may be seen grow
ing freshly at the bottom Of their channels,
and the ferns are beautiful among the shelly
ing rocks, through which the waters make
their gurglng tour When the sun, at noon
day, penetrates into these green and shelter
ing recesses, before the snow has come upon
the earth, when the pines are waving over
head, the laurels clustering with the under
growth, and the dewbery evergreen black
berry, trailing at our feet, we can easily
imagine ourselves surrounded by the green
luxuriance of summer. Nature seems to have
created these pleasant evergreen retreats, that
they might afford to her rious votaries shell
ter during their winter walks, and prospect
to gladden. their eyes, when they 20 out to
admire her works, and pay the homage of
humble heart to the great architect of the uni.
| verse.
Nor is the seasons without it's harvest
The sweet gale, or false myrtle, in dry places
CLEANS with dense clusters Of greenish white
berries, that almost conceal the branches by
their pIofusion; the pale azure berries of the
jumper are sparkling brightly in the midst of
their sombrc evergreen foliage; and the win
ter berry, or black alder bushes, glowing
with the brightest scarlet fruit. and resemb-
ling at distance pyramids of flame, are ir-
| 81, hut kbn Id