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

Twins upon the same stem, adOrnS similar
places with fairer foliage and brighter fruit
There IS sort OF perpetual spring in these
protected arbors and recesses, where we may
at all times behold the sprhging herbs and
sprouting shrubbery, when they are not hid.
den under the snowdrift. The American
hare feeds upon the foliage of these tender
herbs. when she exposes herself at this season
to the aim of the gunner. She cannot so well
provide for her winter wants as the squirrel,
whose food. contained in a huSk or nutshell
ranean granaries. The hare in her garment
Of fur, protected from the cold, feels no fear
Of the climate; and man is almost the only
enemy W no threatens her, when she comes
out timidly to browse upon the scant leaves
of the white clover, or the hcath-like foliage
Of the hypericun.
But the charm of winters walk is derived
chiefly from the tlowerlcss plants--the ferns
and lchcns ofthe rocks, the mosses of the
dells and meres, and the trailing win,ergreens
of the shrubbery pastures. Many species of
these plants seem to revel in cold weather as
lift were congenial to their health and wants.
To them has nature intrustcd the care of
dressing all her barren places in verdurc, and
OF preserving a grateful remnant of summer
beauty. in the dreary places of winter abode.
And 1t is not to be wondered, that, to the
tanciful minds of every nation, the woods
have always seemed to be peopled with fairy
spirits, by whose unseen hands the earth is
garandcd with lovely wreaths of verdure, at
a time when not a flower is to be found upon
the hills or in the meadow.
Whether we are adapted to nature or nature
to us, it is not to b. denied, that on the face
Of the earth, those appearances esta blished by
nature are more congtnial to our feelings than
others strictly artificial. The lichcn covered
rocks, that form so remarkable feature Of
the hills surrounding our coast, are far more
pleasing to every mans sight than similar
rocks without the garniturc. All this may
be partly attributed to the different associa-
tons connected with the two in our habitual
trains Of thoueht;-thc one presenting to us
the evidence of antiquity, the other only the
dsagreeable idea Of that DETACHMENT so gen.
orally attendant on the progress of pioneer
settlements. Hence the lichens and mosscs
upon the surface Of the rocks. have all expires.
sion which has always been eagerly copied
| by the painter, and is associated with many
romantic images, like the clainbering ivy upon
| the walls OF an ancient ruined tower.
At this season, when the greater part of the
landscape is either covered with snow, or with
the scared and brown heritage of winter, this
vegetation OF the rocks has a singular interest
In summer, the rocks are bald in their ap-
pearance, while all around them is fresh and
lively. In winter, on the other hand the.
are covered with Il pale yerdure, interspeised
with many brilliant coors, while the sur
rounding surface is a comparative blank.
Some objects are intrinScally beautiful, others
are beautiful by suggestion, others again by
contrast. This latter principle causes many
things to appear delightful to the eye at one
period, which at other times would, by COM
parison with brighter objects, seem dull and
ilelcss. Hence on a winters ramble, when
there is no snow upon the ground, our atten-
ton is fixed, not only upon the hchens and
evergreens, but likewise on the bright purple
glow that proceeds from every plat Of living
shrubbcry which is spread out in the wild.
This appearance is beautiful by contrast with
the dull sombre hues Of the surrounding faded
heritage, and 1t is likewise strongly SUCCESS
| tive of the life and vigor Of nature. IL is the
vivid hue Of health, and entirely unlike the
hue Of the same plants if they were dead or
dying. 1t is not necessary that we should
have meditated upon this idea, in order to be
affected by it. We are all unconscious ply
| siognomists Of the face of nature; and over
a wide tract of country, were the vegetation
,, blasted i'll autumn by some secret pcstence
that had destroyed its vitality. its whole as
pect would be such as to sadden every be-
holder, though unaware of the fatal event.
AS the human face in sleep wears the glow
| if not the animation of waking life-so the
face of nature, in her hycmal sleep, has glow
that harmonizes with our feelings and with
our sense of universal beauty.
| The wild wood is always full of instruction
for those who are mindful either of its gene
raj aspects or its minutcr details and ram
bic OH pleasant winters day produces OH
the mind an invigorating effect that might be
used as Safeguard against mental depression.
The landscape, when undisfgurcd by art, is
never without beauty, and the woods are
always redolent of sweet odors that assist in
perfccting the illusions that arise from agree
able sights. While the exercise thus parta-
ken in the open air strengthens the body and
improves the health, the objects presented
for our contemplation are tonic and cxhila-
rant in their action on the mind. Whatever
may be the season of the year. to the student
Of science as well as to the lover of beauty,
something is always presented to fix his at
tention or awaken his admiration. and nc
seldom returns frcm woodland ramblc with
out increased cheerfulness, and a prospect OF
new sources Of rational happiness.
Wilson Flag.