To begin with, Nature gives peace. This is the gift most often spoken of. Even John Philips said that Nature calmed his mind. Ambrose Philips liked the songs of birds because they brought him into a mood of “sweet and gentle composure.” Lady Winchilsea enjoyed the night because its influence disposed her heart to silent musings and made her conscious of a “sedate content.” Parnell had long vainly sought contentment until at last his heart received the message of peace through the voices of Nature. Hamilton said that all the passions in the troubled breast of man could be calmed by the quiet of a grove. Thomson finds in Nature a power that can “serene his soul” and “harmonize his heart.” Dyer finds peace and quiet in “the meads and mountain-heads.” Mallet follows Thomson in thought and phrase when he represents that Nature has power to “serene the soul.” Akenside says that the spirit of Nature lulls man’s passions to a divine repose. Cooper says that a contemplation of the order and regularity in Nature’s life will induce a like harmonious action in the human heart, and that the fiercest passions of horror and revenge can be soothed by Nature. Joseph Warton says that all Nature conspires to soothe and harmonize the mind. William Whitehead speaks of the “philosophic calmness” that comes to man from Nature. Beattie’s hermit found in Nature a power that could subdue the wildest passions and give “profound repose.” Bruce found in Nature “harmony of mind.” Bowles felt a “soothing charm” that brought “solace to his heart” and “bore him on serene.” So, too, was it with Cowper. Nature gave him heart-consoling joys, and brought peace and quiet into his life. This power of Nature to soothe the mind of man and to modify his passions receives full expression also in Mrs. Radcliffe’s romances.