meadows, in its several varieties, is so replete with divine skill, that it has been said, "a single blade of grass contains more than will ever be discovered by the most patient and minute investigation." 9. The works of nature excel those of art in their variety. It is astonishing to behold the vast diversity which prevails in the grand system of animal and vegetable nature. It is calculated, that there are at present known between four and five hundred species of land animals, six hundred of birds, of fish five thousand, and of insects, nearly two hundred thousand. Exclusive of these, there are doubtless a vast number of the brute creation, which are unknown to man. Of plants, it is not improbable, that their number would almost defy the powers of calculation. 10. The works of nature claim unquestionable pre-eminence, in their durability. See with what uniform regularity the orbs of heaven have performed their revolutions, from the period when they were called into existence by the Almighty fiat,and still perform them, without the least diminution of efficacy or irregularity. Many of the other works of nature, have remained with equal perfection from the moment of their creation to the present period. And even all the animal and vegetable tribes, notwithstanding they decay and die at stated and regular periods, may be said to have endured from the beginning; since they have been, and still are, continually reproduced in succession. 11. But it is too true, that mutability is inseparable from the works of man; they, like himself, are frail, and a few fleeting years are sufficient to mar their beauty and spoil their excellence. The most ancient relics of art are frequently so mutilated and defaced by the consuming hand of time, as to become valuable; not for the skill exhibited in their workmanship, but solely on account of their antiquity. Nature's works, however, are always blooming, are always beautiful in themselves, and they will continue to bloom till that great and terrible day, when the heavens and the earth shall pass away, and the elements melt with fervent heat. 12. Nature has ever stood unrivaled,--she must ever remain so. Her treasures have never been exhausted, and it is certain they never will. She pours forth her beauties and luxuriances with an unsparing and lavish hand, in every possible variety, to engage the heart, to charm the ear, and to delight the eye. She will ever be sought after by the curious mind, and she will never disappoint the true admirer. Art, exalted and adorned, as she certainly is, will ever look up to nature as her great original,-as the beautifier of all her productions,—— as the charm of all her fascinations, and the source of all her excellence. LESSON CLIX. NATURE. A. B. STREET. 1. NATURE, faint emblem of Omnipotence, Shaped by His hand, the shadow of His light, The vail, in which He wraps His majesty, And through whose mantling folds He deigns to show And dazzling splendors, all man's feeble thought In soft, pure silvery luster. gentle moons were robed 3. As the bright shapes were speeding to their goals, The Angels gazed with wonder. Orb on orb 4. But when Omnipotence had formed His robe, The first low music of the singing stars, Rolled on an ocean of deep harmonious sounds. 5. At the creative summons, Earth had wheeled, In her eternal course,-Oh! not as now, Marred by the bitter curse that flowed from sin, Scathed by God's justice, darkened by His wrath, And made more black by man,—but pure and sweet In all the beauty of her blossoming youth,In all the fragrance of her new-born spring. 6. Nature is Man's best teacher. She unfolds Her treasures to his search, unseals his eye, Illumes his mind, and purifies his heart. An influence breathes from all the sights and sounds Rest yields she to the "weary" of the earth,-- 7. When sorrow presses on us, when the stings The flower is eloquent with peace and joy, And better thoughts come o'er us. Lighter heart 8. And Nature teaches us Philosophy; 9. But O! she teaches also blessed Hope; Hope, the sustainer! Hope which keeps the heart 10. And, holier theme,-she teaches us of God, DRYDEN, 11. Glorious, most glorious Nature! thus she yields LESSON CLX. MUSIC OF NATURE. 1. FROM harmony,--from heavenly harmony, This universal frame began. When Nature underneath a heap And could not heave her head, The tuneful voice was heard from high, ARISE! ye more than dead! Then cold, and hot, and moist, and dry, From harmony,--from heavenly harmony, This universal frame began. From harmony to harmony, Through all the compass of the notes it ran, 2. As from the power of sacred lays, So when the last and dreadful hour |