he had exerted strong energies, and a will firm as it was kindly, in
doing all things thoroughly that he undertook; in no circumstances
would he have been an ordinary man. Had destiny placed his field of
action among scientific or military men, he would have proven himself
first among the foremost; as it was, much of the talent that would
have distinguished him there, grew and throve upon those domestic
affections which were to him the poetry of life.

Thrown into constant communion with nature in her most noble aspects,
he became her devotee, and was more learned in all the beautiful
things which God has created, than many a celebrated savant who
studies with his brain only.

True to the unearthed poetry lying in rich veins throughout his whole
nature, Enoch Sharp sat keenly regarding the effect this grand
panorama of scenery produced on the two children.

He looked on Isabel in her bright, half-restless beauty, with a smile
of affectionate forbearance. There was everything in her face to love,
but it had to answer to the glow and enthusiasm of his own nature.

But it was far otherwise with little Mary. His own deep grey eye
kindled as it perused her sharp features, lighted up, as it were, with
some inward flame. His heart warmed toward the little creature, and
without uttering a word he stooped down and patted her head in silent
approbation.

The child had given him pleasure, for there is nothing more annoying
to the true lover of nature than want of sympathy, when the heart is
in a glow of fervent admiration; alive with a feeling which is so near