His strength to suffer, and his will to serve. THE TASK. BOOK VI. THE WINTER WALK AT NOON. Bells at a distance.-Their effect.-A fine noon in winter.-A sheltered walk.-Meditation better than books.-Our familiarity with the course of nature makes it appear less wonderful than it is.-The transformation that spring effects in a shrubbery described.-A mistake concerning the course of nature corrected.-God maintains it by an unremitted act.The amusements fashionable at this hour of the day reproved.-Animals happy, a delightful sight.-Origin of cruelty to animals. That it is a great crime proved from Scripture.-That proof illustrated by a tale.A line drawn between the lawful and unlawful destruction of them.Their good and useful properties insisted on.-Apology for the encomiums bestowed by the author on animals.-Instances of man's extravagant praise of man.-The groans of the creation shall have an end. -A view taken of the restoration of all things.-An invocation and an invitation of Him who shall bring it to pass.-The retired man vindicated. from the charge of uselessness.-Conclusion. THERE HERE is in souls a sympathy with sounds, And as the mind is pitch'd the car is pleased With melting airs or martial, brisk or grave;. Some chord in unison with what we hear Is touch'd within us, and the heart replies. In cadence sweet, now dying all away, (As in a map the voyager his course) When most severe, and mustering all its force, Whose favour, like the clouds of spring, might lower, And utter now and then an awful voice, |