JUNE. MIDSUMMER'S EVE. SCENE I. Ir was that quiet time, when all nature seems to hold her breath, in order to watch the great sun as he slowly leaves her sight, and sinks in the golden distance. From the wide valley the evening mist rose silently, and far away the hills were sleeping in a purple haze. The lengthened shadows of the trees fell on the grass, now of the brightest green, and ready for the hand of the mower. A little stream pursued its quiet way, noiselessly, yet surely, blessing all with which it came in contact on its journey to the distant sea. The evening dews fell gently on the thirsty land, like a cooling essence sprinkled by a kindly hand on the fevered brow of nature; and the air, which throughout the day had glowed in the mid-summer sun, now breathed lightly, freshened by the dewy vapour, and bearing across the land the perfume of a hundred fields of newly mown hay, and the mingled scents of a thousand freshly opened flowers. Over head the birds with heavy wings steadily pursued their way, all seeking their own nests, and carrying a sufficient supply for the wants of their little ones. Myriads of insects danced around, full of no assumed, or superficial gaiety-covering, like a beautiful crust, an abyss of care and sorrow-and amongst them the bee, laden with "a fair day's wages for a fair day's work," sought the hive, impatient to add his contribution to the well-being and prosperity of the commonwealthfree alike from all thought of selfish aggrandizement, by means of his wealth, as from ill-will against any, who either by superior industry, or advantageous circumstances, were more heavily burdened than himself. dis Far above, in the profoundest depths of the blue æther, the stars played their mild beams, struggling through the soft twilight of the short summer night, and although truly "one star exceedeth another star in glory," yet each revolved in its appointed sphere, fulfilling the will of Him, who set them in the heavens, with no jarring strife for eminence, or invasion of each other's rights. There was no attempt on the part of the larger to annex the smaller as mere accessories in their train of glory, nor any slavish dependance of the weaker on the stronger, but each pursuing its individual course, glorious in its degree, and all working together to declare the glory of God, and show His handiwork. Here thought I is perfect beauty, harmony, purity, and peace-a type of heaven, and the most complete that earth affords. "It is good to be here," nay, even "to build a tabernacle" amid these scenes, for surely the more we live in contact with them, the better shall we learn to love heaven's life "Before we reach the heavenly fields, How sadly different, how gloomy and repugnant, after such objects, appears human life. There sin is rampant, and in its train follow suffering, sorrow, care, and toil. Not one human heart can we find, that has not in it some cause for anxiety for the future, or some present grief; and by far the larger proportion are in circumstances of actual want, and misery. Might oppresses right, and selfishness grasps with feverish energy all on which it can lay hands. In nature, all is in its place, each fulfilling the end for which it was created "All true, all faultless, all in tune, Opened in mystic union, To last till time expire. And still it lasts: by day and night, Man only mars the sweet accord, SCENE II. In a narrow street of a great city, stands a house, which was once the abode of wealth and luxury; but the whole of this quarter has long been deserted by civilized respectability, and ceded to the dominions of poverty, filth, and sin. The same summer breath, which that June evening carried on its wings the scent of the newly-mown hay, and the song of the nightingale, entered also a room in an upper story of this house, bearing disease, and the sounds of riot and sin. E |