This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1857 edition. Excerpt: ... nature, and the calmness with which all this glory is brought to pass, as it were of itself. When the snow was still in the dells, and the ground hard with the night frost, then spring already announced his approach. He sent his prophetess 190 SPRING. the lark. She flew up from the furrow to the skies, as if by her song she would call the slumbering germ of life to a joyful awaking, and bid careless men give heed unto the breath that wondrously renews all things of earth. For does she not soar warbling between heaven and earth? The brown plumage of the messenger of spring does not betray that a prophetic voice is in her bosom, and many do not know it." " That is the lot of the divine in its simple form," said the youth. " But continue, dear boy, to tell me the history of spring." The boy said: " Numberless lives, obedient to the call, were roused in the lap of the maternal earth, now freed from frost. The snowdrops appeared like blooming flakes, and in clusters; as if, when united, they did not fear the returning storm and frost. On the sunny side of the hill, protected by briers, and only visible to the attentive eye, bloomed the modest, fragrant violet--a gladdening sign that the early prophetess had spoken the truth. And how powerfully did then the breath of spring pervade the whole of nature, renewing the face of the earth! The smallest and most delicate thing was regarded as much as the greatest; even the hidden bud, and the folded leaf, have their dawn and their sunrise. Is it not one and the same power which manifests itself in the plants as a flower, and reigns in the bosom of the thrush and the lark as a voice of melody? "Thus blossom was added to blossom, and song to song; and soon," said the boy, with beaming eyes, "I doubt not but...