How wholesome are the natural laws to contemplate, as gravity, heat, light, moisture, dryness. Only let us not interfere. Let the soul withdraw into the chambers of the heart, let the mind reside steadily in the labyrinth of the brain, and not interfere with hands or feet more than with other parts of nature. * * * * * Thomson was a true lover of nature and seems to have needed only a deeper human experience to have taken a more vigorous and lofty flight. He is deservedly popular, and has found a place on many shelves and in many cottages. There are great merits in "The Seasons"—and the almanac. In "Autumn:"— "Attemper'd suns arise, * * * * * ... while broad and brown, below, Extensive harvests hang the heavy head. Rich, silent, deep, they stand." The moon in "Autumn:"— "Her spotted disk, Where mountains rise, umbrageous dales descend, * * * * * ... gives all his blaze again, Void of its flame, and sheds a softer day. Now through the passing cloud she seems to stoop, Now up the pure cerulean rides sublime. * * * * * The whole air whitens with a boundless tide Of silver radiance, trembling round the world." My friend, thou art not of some other race and family of men;—thou art flesh of my flesh, bone of my bone. Has not nature associated us in many ways?[501] Water from the same fountain, lime from the same quarry, grain from the same field compose our bodies. And perchance our elements but reassert their ancient kindredship. Is it of no significance that I have so long partaken of the same loaf with thee, have breathed the same air summer and winter, have felt the same heat and cold, the same fruits of summer have been pleased to refresh us both, and thou hast never had a thought of different fibre from my own?[502] Our kindred, of one blood with us. With the favor and not the displeasure of the gods, we have partaken the same bread. * * * * * It is hard to know rocks. They are crude and inaccessible to our nature. We have not enough of the stony element in us. * * * * * It is hard to know men by rumor only. But to stand near somewhat living and conscious. Who would not sail through mutiny and storm farther than Columbus, to reach the fabulous retreating shores of some continent man? * * * * * My friend can only be in any measure my foe, because he is fundamentally my friend; for everything is after all more nearly what it should rightfully be, than that which it is simply by failing to be the other. * * * * *