windows of this haughty mansion may be seen the panorama of nature, the distant hills tinted by the gorgeous colours of Apollo's chariot.
The wan moon leads her glittering courtiers forth, to cast their dazzling glories on the painted windows of the palace of sight. Nor does the leaden hand of sleep subdue all the powers of this organ. Over its beauteous orbs, there falls a constant and unceasing stream of dewy moisture, to lubricate their action and preserve their brilliancy. No cuirass or golden helmet, lit up with morning's earliest rays, not even Orion, or great Arcturus, or the silver Pleiades, in all their glory, could vie with vision's light. This mystic presence of divinity has no parallel—exceeding all of nature and art. It is, therefore, important to endeavour to understand its nature and philosophy. Our inquiry will sometimes appear technical and narrow; yet we believe a close examination of any of the paths and habits of nature is most profitable, and the study of them will yield many proofs of the harmony of our nature with the economy of the physical world and our own happiness; that such investigations tend to create a love for order and virtue, and that destiny of which we are informed by revelation, and the noblest forms of philosophy. Casting aside the indifference which some are content to assume, let us delight in the investigation of those truths which refer to our own nature and its dependence on the laws of Providence.
Then the low world in measured motion draw
After the heavenly tune, which none can hear,
Of human mould, with gross unpurged ear.
