Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-13
AN ESSAY BY A KING.
A Pretty Bit Of Sentiment by the King
Of Norway and Sweden.

Oscar Fredrik In the Nineteenth Century.
One autumn morning, a. the sun had Just
lifted its golden orb above the horizon, with
ont, however, its rays having a. yet warmed
the cold air, I beheld standing by the roadside
some birch trees, already covered with yellow
leaves. Their day was drawing to . close, their
life of bloom, though brief, had been lovely
one; a life passed in the glorious nature Of the
north.
When the rays of the vernal sun had melted
snow and ice, when unclaimed rivulets pratt
tied pleasantly, and the lark struck its notes
in the azure sky, tender buds had come forth
from the cold branches and twigs, the buds be-
came leaves; they throve in the balmy spring
breezes. The young trees clad themselves in
the green color OF hope. So long es summer,
the golden -tressed goddess ruled in the north,
they enjoyed their own blooming loneliness. In
innocence and simplicity they caressed each
other, and offered a delicious shade to the wan
derer fatigued by the fierce sun. Now, when
summer-the too brief one of the north-has
fed, behold! with what humility they bear
their fate and shed the treasures Of their
crown. In their decadence, in their mis-
fortune, they stand yonder as If none the
less admiring the silent morning hour. They
seem as il speaking to the traveller, who
hastens by to his daily calling after his Sun
day rest. And they awaken in him wonder.
and call forth thoughts that are less Of this
world.
Brother. Man has also his spring, his sum-
mer, and his autumn. Spring is his youth,
summer his manhood. and autumn his old age.
But in the heyday of mans springtide there
may be autumn; in his autumntide CLEAN OF
dawning spring. Sorrow may change morn
into eve. spring into autumn. The tree OF life
struck by the storm raises itself again with
difficulty, or requires, at all events, time to do
SO. 1t might, indeed, be an impossibility, but
for Samaritans ready to give a helping hand.
Even the solitary desert palm may be shaken
by the sirocco till it falls, be it ever so tall and
strong.
be praised! also be spring. Behold the charm
ing birch trees in the grove yonder! They are
going to rest through the long winter night,
contented with their summer life, for they
hope that when winter has exhausted its fury.
still more balmy air, and a still more glorious
sun, and more enchanting song than the
bowling autumn storms shall summon them
to a new life, to fresh joys! And such is their
existence, an unbroken chain of births and
deaths.
And we2 We, who are. often ungrateful
when the world goes against us-we, who
grumble and rebel against the wise dictates OF
Providence and in self-cinceit wish to build up
world ourselves, which we imagine would be
better one--what ought we to remember?
Is not the promise sown in our hearts Of res
direction and Spring, after the Autumn OF life
and the grave of Winter? Is it not surer and
more blessed than that of any other creature
in the realm of nature? Have we not been en-
dowed with the gift of living in sympathy here
below and Of walking together along the road
of life in love and friendship? And is not this
gift a greater treasure than all those which the
man of pleasure deems priceless? Why do we,
then, despair? The Spring following upon our
Winters grave will not depart from us, for it is
eternal. Far more glorious is 1t than any
earthly Spring. The sun is God, and We are
angels therein.
Should we believe that friendship formed
here below shall also follow us thither? Why
should we not believe that it shall become even
stronger than here? Ay, friendship. which has
united mankind through all ages, in which
they have lived, labored and struggled to
reach the same goal, although by different
roads-that friendship will certainly remain
with us when the haven is reached, and it
SHALL on brighter spring morn. and to more
glorious spring chant, follow us into eternal
spring, and be the most cherished and joyful
recollection of our past life on earth-of a
chilly autumn tide! OSCAR FREDRIK.