By this provision of nature, the wilderness, in the midst of so
many successive changes, is always maintained at the point nearest to
perfection, since the accessions are so few and gradual as to preserve its
character.
The American forest exhibits in the highest degree the grandeur of repose.
As nature never does violence to its own laws, the soil throws out the
plant which it is best qualified to support, and the eye is not often
disappointed by a sickly vegetation. There ever seems a generous emulation
in the trees, which is not to be found among others or different
families, when left to pursue their quiet existence in the solitude of the
fields. Each struggles towards the light, and an equality in bulk and a
similarity in form are thus produced, which scarce belong to their
distinctive characters. The effect may be easily imagined. The vaulted
arches beneath are filled with thousands of high, unbroken columns, which
sustain one vast and trembling canopy of leaves. A pleasing gloom and an
imposing silence have their interminable reign below, while an outer and
another atmosphere seems to rest on the cloud of foliage.
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