together a number of the
citizens in the morning, but many more resorted there in the evening,
and a numerous throng here regaled themselves, and rested from the busy,
bustling occupations of the day;--and at the same time were spectators
of the most splendid scene imaginable. When the sun had gone down
beneath a clear horizon, and the moon had risen in silent majesty,
dispensing her light over the unruffled face of the Hudson, decorated
with a numerous sail, representing an inimitable landscape, sublime and
beautiful.

[_NY Weekly_: An Evening Meditation:

The moon ... arises in silent majesty .... the unruffled rivers....]

[same, unedited:

The moon borrows her light, and bestows it upon us; she arises in
silent majesty, humbly waiting to reign when he resigns his throne.
No chorus ushers in his reign, no rays pronounce her approach;
gently she steals on the world, and sits in silent majesty to view
the good she does. She lights the wandering traveller, she warms the
earth with gentle heat, she dazzles not the eye of the philosopher,
but invites him to view and to admire--How still is nature! not a
breeze! each tree enjoys its shadow undisturbed, the unruffled
rivers glide smoothly on reflecting nature's face....]

Alida walked out one evening, and repaired thither, attended by Mr.
More. It was six o'clock when they reached the Battery, and a numerous
concourse of people had already collected there. The mild rays of the
setting sun were just visible above the horizon, and cast a soft lustre
over the adjacent landscape, when they entered Castle-Garden to
contemplate more nearly the surrounding scenery.

They seated themselves here, while they discoursed on the beauties of
nature, and the wonders of creation,--descanting on the goodness and
bounty of that ineffable Being, from whom all our blessings flow;--the
continual succession of so many various objects, to fill the mind with
rapture and enthusiasm, and strike us with veneration and awe.

[_NY Weekly_: Essay No. I:

In man there is a natural love of change and variety: the mind is
wearied by continual succession of similar objects, those pleasures,
which at first were capable of inspiring emotions of delight; which
once filled the heart with rapture and enthusiasm.... neither strike
them with veneration nor with awe.]

The beauty and mildness of the present season, the copious showers, that
caused the earth to ab