Home > Author > Capt. Basil Hall
1 " As the power and goodness of Heavenare infinite in their extent, and infinite intheir minuteness, to the mind cultivatedas nature meant it to be, there is not onlydelight in contemplating the sublimity of the endless sea, or everlasting mountains, or the beauty of wide-extended landscapes; but there is a pleasure in looking at every flower, and every little shell that God hasmade. Nature has scattered around us,on every side, and for every sense, an inexhaustible profusion of beauty and sweetness, if we will but perceive it. The pleasures we derive from flowers, from forms,from musical sounds, are surely not givenus in vain; and if we are constantly aliveto these, we can never be in want of subjects of agreeable contemplation, and mustbe habitually cheerful. All that is required, in order that we should duly estimate these things, is that we should not have blunted or exhausted our minds by excessive indulgence of gross appetites and passions. In that fatal case, all those delicious fruits turn to ashes. Indeed, the man who looks at the gifts of nature without pleasure, or who hopes to enjoy the delights and blessings of life withoutfeeling that gratitude to God forms their highest charms, and without becoming in consequence habitually cheerful, is surely much to be pitied. "
― Capt. Basil Hall
