THE ADVANTAGES OF A TASTE FOR THE BEAUTIES OF

NATURE.

By Dr. Percival.

That sensibility to beauty, which, when cultivated and improved, we term taste, is universally diffused through the human species; and it is most uniform with respect to those objects, which, being out of our power, are not liable to variation, from accident, caprice, or fashion. The verdant lawn, the shady grove, the variegated landscape, the boundless ocean, and the starry firmament, are contemplated with pleasure by every attentive beholder.—But the emotions of different spectators, though similar in kind differ widely in degree; and to relish, with full delight, the enchanting scenes of nature, the mind must be uncorrupted by avarice, sensuality, or ambition; quick in her sensibilities, elevated in her sentiments, and devout in her affections. He who possesses such exalted powers of perception and enjoyment, may almost say with the poet :"I care not, fortune, what you me deny:

You cannot rob me of free nature's grace;
You cannot shut the windows of the sky,

Through which Aurora shows her bright'ning face;

You cannot bar my constant feet to trace

The woods and lawns, by living streams, at eve:

Let health my nerves and finer fibres brace,

And I their toys to the great children leave:

Of fancy, reason, virtue, nought can me bereave!"

Perhaps such ardent enthusiasm may not be compatiıble with the necessary toils and active offices which Providence has assigned to the generality of men. But there are none to whom some portion of it may not prove advantageous; and if it were cherished by each individual in that degree which is consistent with the indispensable duties of his station, the felicity of human life would be considerably augmented. From this source the refined and vivid pleasures of the imagination are almost entirely derived, and the elegant arts owe their choicest beauties to a taste for the contemplation of nature. Painting and sculpture are express imitations of visible objects: and where would be the charms of poetry, if divested of the

imagery and embellishments which she borrows from rural scenes? Painters, statuaries, and poets, therefore, are always ambitious to acknowledge themselves the pupils of nature; and as their skill increases, they grow more and more delighted with every view of the animal and vegetable world. But the pleasure resulting from admiration is transient; and to cultivate taste without regard to its influence on the passions and affections, "is to rear a tree for its blossoms which is capable of yielding the richest and most valuable fruit." Physical and moral beauty bear so intimate a relation to each other, that they may be considered as different gradations in the scale of excellence; and the knowledge and relish of the former should be deemed only a step to the nobler and more permanent enjoyments of the latter.

Whoever has visited the Leasowes, in Warwickshire, must have felt the force and propriety of an inscription which meets the eye at the entrance into these delightful grounds

"Would you, then, taste the tranquil scene?

Be sure your bosom be serene;

Devoid of hate, devoid of strife,
Devoid of all that poisons life:
And much it 'vails you, in this place
To graft the love of human race."

Now such scenes contrioute powerfully to inspire that serenity which is necessary to enjoy and to heighten their beauties. By a sweet contagion the soul catches the harmony which she contemplates; and the frame within assimilates itself to that which is without. For,

"Who can forbear to smile with nature?

Can the strong passions in the bosom roll,
While every-gule is peace, and every grove
Is melody ?"

In this state of composure we become susceptible of virtuous impressions from every surrounding object; an equal and extensive benevolence is called forth into exertion; and having felt a common interest in the gratifications of inferior beings, we shall be no longer indiffer

ent to their sufferings, or become wantonly instrumental in producing them.

It seems to be the intention of Providence that the lower order of animals should be subservient to the comfort, convenience, and sustenance of man. But his right of dominion extends no farther; and if this right be exercised with mildness, humanity, and justice, the subjects of his power will be no less benefited than himself; for various species of living creatures are annually multiplied by human art, improved in their perceptive powers by human culture, and plentifully fed by human industry.

The relation, therefore, is reciprocal between such animals and man; and he may supply his own wants by the use of their labour, the produce of their bodies, and even the sacrifice of their lives; while he co-operates with allgracious Heaven in promoting happiness, the great end of existence.

But though it be true that partial evil, witn respect to different orders of sensitive beings, may be universal good, and that it is a wise and benevolent institution of nature, to make destruction itself, within certain limits, the cause of an increase of life and enjoyment; yet a generous person will extend his compassionate regards to every individual that suffers for his sake; and while he sighs,

"Even for the kid, or lamb that pours its life
Beneath the bloody knife."

he will naturally be solicitous to mitigate pain, both in duration and degree, by the gentlest mode of inflicting it.

I am inclined to believe, however, that this sense of humanity would soon be obliterated, and that the heart would grow callous to every soft impression, were it not for the benignant influence of the smiling face of nature. The Count de Lauzan, when imprisoned by Louis XIV, in the castle of Pignerol, amused himself for a long period of time with catching flies, and delivering them to be devoured by a rapacious spider. Such an entertainment was equally singular and cruel, and inconsistent, I believe, with his former character and subsequent turn of mind. But his cell had no window, and received only a glimmer

ing light from an aperture in the roof. In less unfavorable circumstances, may we not presume that instead of sporting with misery, he would have released the agonized flies, and bid them enjoy that freedom of which he himself was bereaved?

But the taste for natural beauty is subservient to higher purposes than those which have been enumerated; and the cultivation of it not only refines and humanizes, but dignifies and exalts the affections. It elevates them to the admiration and love of that being who is the author of all that is fair, sublime, and good in the creation.Skepticism and irreligion are hardly compatible with the sensibility of heart which arises from a just and lively relish of the wisdom, harmony, and order, subsisting in the world around us; and emotions of piety must spring up spontaneously in the bosom that is in unison with all animated nature. Actuated by this Divine inspiration, man finds a fane in every grove; and, glowing with devout fervor, he joins his song to the universal chorus, or muses the praise of the Almighty in more expressive silence. Thus they

"Whom nature's works can charm, with God himself

Hold converse; grow familiar, day by day,

With his conceptions; act upon his plan,
And form to his, the relish of their souls."

LINES

Suggested by FULLER'S account of the venerable BEDE and his Secretary translating the last verses of St. John's Gospel.

LOOK on that boy, and saintly pale old man!
Upon the holy text their eyes are bent;
With what divine expression, how intent,

The open roll how eagerly they scan!

But now the old man speaks in faltering tone,

He seems to swoon, films overspread his eyes"Rouse thee, my master, rouse thee," the boy cries, "There's yet but a few lines, the task is done."Thereto the old man musters a strong heart,

And at the blessed roll applies once more,

As if he knew he might not yet depart,

He might not go till his great task was done.
Thou, christian lab'rer, shalt immortal be,
Till thou hast done what God appoints to thee.

E. L. A.