soil at one time swelling into woody elevations, and at another
spreading itself into vales of the most enchanting verdure. To the north
it extended to the palisades, wooded to their summits, and throwing
their shadows over intervals of equal wilderness, till at length the
eye, wandering far beyond, was arrested in its excursions by the blue
mist which hovered over the distant mountains, more grand, majestic, and
lofty. The inhabitants around were mild, sociable, moral, and diligent.
The produce of their own fields gave them the most of what was
necessary, and they were happily free from all dissipation and luxury.

Such was the site marked out for the residence of Theodore and Alida.
They visited the spot, and were enraptured with its pensive, romantic
beauties.

"Here," said Theodore, "we will one day pass our time in all the
felicity of mind which the chequered scenes of life will admit. In the
spring, we will roam among the flowers; in summer, we will gather
strawberries in yonder fields, or raspberries from the adjacent
shrubbery. The breezes of fragrant morning and the sighs of the evening
gale will be mingled with the songs of the various birds which frequent
the surrounding groves. We will gather the bending fruits of autumn, and
will listen with pleasure to the hoarse, murmuring voice of winter--its
whistling winds, its driving snow and rattling hail--with delight."

The bright gems of joy glistened in the eyes of Alida as Theodore
described this pleasing scene of anticipation.

Winter came on; it rapidly passed away. Spring advanced, and the
marriage day was appointed. Preparations for the hymenial ceremony were
making, and invitations had already gone abroad. Albert was particularly
sent for, and all was approaching to readiness for this happy event.

Theodore and Alida again promenaded to the spot which had been chosen
for their habitation; they projected the structure of the buildings,
planned the gardens, the artificial groves, the walks, and the green
retreat of the summer-house; and already they realized in imagination
the various domestic blessings and felicities with which they were to be
surrounded.

Nature was adorned with the bridal ornaments of spring; the radiant sun
was sinking behind the groves, casting his sable shades over the valley,
while the retiring beams of day adorned the distant eastern eminences
with yellow lustre; the birds sung melodiously in the grove; the air was
freshened b