Referring again to the pretty tribe of birds, I would remark, that every variety in the passages of their song, may, probably, be associated with a corresponding variety of feelings and conceptions in the bird from which they issue; and may at the same time infuse sensations and sentiment of similar quality into birds of the sounds of the dog are diversified, and many; but, it may not have occurred to every person that the same tones are always heard on the same occasions; or, perhaps, I ought rather to remark, that this fact has not been sufficiently regarded--yet, it is a fact; and an important one; and bears witness to the truth of the observations which have led to its introduction - Even the bark of the dog, though it may ordinarily be considered as one and the same, has different modifications, and becomes significant of different passions in the dog when he employs it.--A commou ear, accompanied even with a moderate degree of attention, will detect the difference, in tone and in effect, between the bark which meets the vagrant as he advances to the door of a dwelling-house, and that which is heard from the same dog when he would hail a master after an absence; or, when the latter, with gun in hand, lets him off the chain at morn, and the dog is now, in all the eagerness of delight, sporting and frolicking around him; and, it requires not the searching eye of a Lavater, to discover, in these varying characters of vocal performance, corresponding expressions of the countenance, The scowl, or surly aspect, is no less marked and palpable in the one instance, than the simper, and the playful eye, discernible in the other. same kind, who catch and listen to the strains. I am unwilling to believe that melodies so diversified, and so sweet, can be uncombined with some appropriate meaning as well as delectable effect, in reference to the feelings of the musician and to his kindred audience of the woods. Perhaps could we but translate the magic note and melody of birds-of the thrush let us suppose-courteous reader, mark the hesitation of my pen!-one passage in the song might, perhaps, signify "now, my comates and brothers of the song, not this life more sweet than"-&c. &c.? And, again, "pleasant the sun when first on this delightful land"-&c. &c.? 66 is No help in the construction of a sentence; no disposition in the parts of speech; no figure, in the employment of language, so truly acceptable and serviceable to a scribbler, or to an oral recorder, as your, &c. &c.!! 'tis wonderful what a quantity of idea it supplies, and spares; what a length of composition it economizes and saves! In the instance, now before us, fancy might have bestired itself, and worked, in vain; research, the most diligent and severe, could have produced nothing but conjecture: whereas, by the timely sliding in of |