The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-02-19
roT lHe le
Thoughts on Winter.
BY AGRICOLA.

Winter is rough, beisterous old fellow,
who seems to have but few friends. Almost
every one feels justified in giving him a
hard word for his hard pinches. 1t is not
strange he is not loved at first his outward
appearance, l must confess, is far from
prepossessing. But, on better acquain-
tance, shall we not find him somewhat like
the pet hedge hog of certain misanthrope,
with an unsightly, uncomfortable exterior,
and yet more kindness and sentleness
than is often found under fewer prickles?
If he does present bristling front, winter,
like the hedgehog, must have the credit of
not looking milder than he really is-in
short, of being "too plainly-spoken,' to
stand high in favor with men in general
His prickles are all on the outside-he looks
what he really is-a pin cushion-some-
thing to be handled with mittened fingers
Now, as 1 am an admirer of winter, will
endeaver, kind reader to point out some of
its beauties.
The clear frosty morning, the bright
sunny noon, and, more than all, the bril-
dancing on the sparkling snow-these have
each peculiar charm Of their ewn, which
every one must discover and enjoy who will
look on them with the eye of philosopher;
that is, with the eye of one who can appre-
ciate their beauties, without allowing him
self to be disturbed by such slight incon-
veaiences as cold fingers and nose. The
wind sweeps over the hills and across the
rivers, and sometimes salutes the cheeks
little too rudsly; but he comes with music,
and when he shrisks and rattles around the
corners of the house, or whistles with shrill
notes through the cracks, it is cheering
sound, like the laugh of a merry friend
know some people shrug their shoulders
and contract their brows when he pipes
very loud note, but it is because they have
no ear for natures music the fault is not
in the piper, but in the one piped unto
And then his fairy toy-maker, Jack Frost
who has not both admired and been vexed
with his Aandi-work? Within doors. in
glasses and pitchers, his feats show to lit
tie advantage, and gain him 10 credit with
economical housekeepers. Out of doors
he has wider range. He can hang every
boush and blade of grass with glittering
diamonds, bind UP little streams, and write
him a beautiful name, if he could but stop
soon enough, on sheets of water And
then the fanciful shapes he draws, Of a
sharp night, on tho windows. The most
graceful and delicate forms of vegetation
are there traced and with skill an artist
might initiate in vain. / have often wen-
dered that those superstitious old maids
who are looking for the tale Of fate in a cup
of tea, did not rather read it, where | am
sure it must be palmer and more beauti-
fully written, in those fantastic figures
Every shade of even may there be found
pictured forth, without depending much
GA imagination. The designs are almost
always pleasing SO one may generally, l
should suppose, read propitious story.
Winter is the time for the greatest do
nestle enjoyment. The bright fire and
warm parlor are the more inviting ON &C
count of the bleak storm which RACES with
out. 1t is then we realize the full meaning
of the dear English word, "home." AS
the family gathers in for the evening" there
is feeling of security, of cozness and
comfort, which we would never know-if
skies without were always bright and sun