Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-08
Che Social 0irfle.
INFLUENCE OF THE BEAUTIFUL.

The dearest spot 10 all the world is home.
How does its recollection puIsate in every
feeling Of the soul And all are alike in
this respect. The rude Indian, pampered
amid tAe palaces and Injuries Of civilized
life, signs for the smoky wigwam of his ma
tive woods. The poor IIapandcr, bewidered
for the cxuberancc OF the genial South, pants
for his snow-covered hut in the icy North
Atric's sable son, toiIing in the canebrakes
and rich swamps Of America, liugers in pen
sive reverie under the green palms OF his ma
tive land. The weary traveller, wandering
in quest Of the gfandest structures OF art and
sublimest scenes Of nature, is willing to re-
turn at last, acknowledging that "rhere is
no place like home" The mariner, bending
over the lazy ship and looking down into the
deep blue sea, lancies that to be his early
playground, where he gamboIed with the
Boys in the heyday OF life. In imagination
ne sees his book, his ball, his fishing tackles,
and wonder comes his mother to welcome him
rom school
Time and distance can never eiface the I'M
3ressions Of early days. As we grow older
heir recollection seems to grow fresher. 1t
appears we are moving in circle, and us We
approach the goal whence we started, we look
n upon the familiar scenes OF youth. There
IRE the trees we climbed, on whose broat
limbs we swung, froiicing in the breeze
There are the brooks we torded, ripping JOY
through our hearts, and the places where w
ished for the nimoe trout There are thu
old grey rocks, bearing the initials oil ou
names and the date when they were register
ed, There are the hills we assembled, thu
ponds we sailed. and the cliffs we scaled t,
find the eagles nest. There is the old school
house, with its thousand associations passing
review in beautiful confusion. There is tn
humble church, its beA still ringing the sol
cmn call for worship, its orchestra still swell
ing with voices Of praise, its holy altar still
urning with the incense OF gratitude. Dear
cr than all else, in this wide, wide world,
nat sacred retreat from the temptations G
te, that nursery Of youth, that cradle c
irtue, home where we oft have nestled i
Others arms to catch the spirit of affection
here father told us the legends Of othe
avs, which fred the soul with ardor for til
'onflict Of lie. o, how many are the love
which we'll up from the unseen depths oil
Jeep fountain in the heart when we gaze il
rs through dorama, upon the morning {
our years. We admire to look, Tor thos
lights and shades are beautiful, and ever,
Thing is SO fresh, so real, SO familiar!
As our carly impressions derived from II
mana, ~: 81 "a wound o,,r homo N no do
.blo how important that it he adorned wit
rural beauty Doubtless the diversity
mental and moral developments in the rae
of men may be safely attributed, in a gre
measure, to the local scenery surrounds
them. Is it not fact that those who live
the midst OF the most beautiful works Of II
turo,. exhibit the noblest characteristics F.
Look at the Highlands Of Scotland, for i
stance; surrounded by the widness aud gran
eur Of lake and mountain scenery, they ha
become remarkable for simplicity of manner
intellectual. moral and industrious habits
The Swiss dwell amidst the sublime scenes
the Alps; and this accounts Tor their hard
hood and look Of liberty. The Germans ha
country variegated with grand terrace
beautiful valleys, rivers and mountains; a,
they are the most ideal, intellectual people
the world. The people of New EngIa,
dwell In most favored locality for the d
velopment OF that enterprise, intelligence a
morality which they possess in so eminent
degree. Their soil is sufficiently rugged
prevent idleness, and sufficiently fertile to {
courage industry Having vast forests
subdae, grant waterfalls to impede mol
rivers to navigate, their genius invites to