New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-10-02
OCTOBER.

After one of the loveliest Septembers ever
known in these ATTITUDES, season without I'M
moderate bursts of heat or pr0tracted rains
October has come with its promise OF rich au-
tumnal tints, the splcndors of forest foliage
and of gardens radiant with the brilliant tones
of chrysanthemums and dahias, and All atmos-
pnere permeated with tonic for enfeebled lungs.
Americans may have cause for complaining OF
their belated transitory spring, but their autumn
denotes ordinarily the perfection OF weather in
the temperate zones. The best of Natures wine
is kept till the last, and invigorating tipple 1t
is. The sun loses its icrce glare and is
source only of genial warmth. Tho humldlV
is squeezed out of the air, and the breath OF
life seems fresh and purified like the renewed
yigor of health after ftful fever. All the
en.ryating influences of midsummer have spent
their force. and pulses are stirring WITH ior-
gotten energies. One week of invigorating
weather follows another until tho wonder grows
when the traditional Indian summer begins and
whether it is over to end.
October is sometimes called a sombre month,
but not by any one in close sympathy with
Natures moods. Sharp frosts are required DO
fore all the verdant tints Of summer can be
strained ont of the autumnal foliage, and these
do net often come before November. The trees
are loyal TO the memory of spring, and show
traces of vivid green even when thoir leaves are
lighted I'D with red and russell hues. There is
nothing to excite melancholy in an October sky
ing to excite melancholy in an October SKY
with its clear, sharp light, its deep blue domo
frescced with cloud arabcsques, and It's gor-
peous sunsets with tho richest tones OF color
OF the whole twelvemonth. When the trees
are bare and sere in late November, and every
wind seems to take up the last refrain OF q
dead SUMNER Nature may be pensivc and
dreary but in brilliant October, when all the
colors in sky and wood and garden are tho
most intense of the year, there is radiant
present to enjoy rather than glowing past to
recall. As the purple shadows fall at morn
ing or at evening life is worth living for its
own sake 1t Is not pale reminiscence OF o
time Of roses and summer joys that has ooen
buried out OF sight under the autumn leaves
October doc. not stand for old age with its
cynicism when limited to the happenings OF
| this world or with its serene dignity when IN
sprcd by intmations OF immortality. 1t repre-
sents the middle life OF successful fruition when
the enthusiasm Of youth has not been outgrown'
but Is fully regulated when the fcvcrish passion
Of early manhood has been concentrated into
noble purpose. when experience has impaired
to character discipline and sense OF iimita-
tons. and when the arduous work has been
done and the tempting grapes are ripe, and we
feel that we have right to pluck and enjoy
them If all the early hopes have not been
accomplished life is at least filed with is round
of pressing duties. IDEAS are fresh and crowd
fast upon us, and the carking cares, vcxatons
and dsappontments are not to be compared
with the absorbing interest taken In work. pro-
fes.ion, home and friends.
The perfection of life comes after the ardor
and mpetuosity of youth and the intense. pas
sionatc struggle of early manhood. 1t marks
full maturity when there is conscious feeling
that work has been well begun and is nearly
finished, that difficulties have been mastered,
that experience has been widened, and that we
have a right to look about us and to enjoy
without cyncism or poignant regret the rich
vintage Of life. 1t Is October when forest and
roadside have each glory OF their own. and
skies are Of tho most tranquil blue at noon, and
afame at morning and at evening tide with
| splendors such as are never seen in midsummer
or spring; and when there is nothing in tho
purple shadows to inspire dread OF coming
| winter, Natures death-n-lifc. typical OF the
| dark, unknown fate which overwhelms the race.