University of Virginia Library

OF PROGRESSION.

Progression is a series of consonances ascending or descending. Wherever we meet progression it produces exquisite pleasure, because it excites in the soul a sentiment of infinity.

When the leaves of a vegetable are arranged round its branches, as the branches themselves are round the stem, there is consonancy, as in pines; but if the branches are farther disposed among themselves on similar plans, diminishing in magnitude, as in the pyramidical form of firs, there is progression; and if these trees are disposed in long avenues decreasing in height and colouring, like their particular mass, our pleasure is heightened, because the progression becomes infinite.

From this instinct of infinity we take pleasure in viewing every object which presents a progression; as nursery-grounds, containing plans of different ages, hills flying off to the horizon in successive elevations, perspectives without a termination.

Nature has not formed, after our limited manner, perspectives with one or two consonances; but she composes them of a multitude of different progressions to be found in the minutest of her works, of which they constitute the principal charm. They are not the effect of any mechanical law, but

have been apportioned to each vegetable, to prolong the enjoyment of its fruit, conformably to the wants of man. Some appear only during the season of heat, others can be preserved; but those designed to supply the accidental demands of mankind remain on the earth at all times. Not only are these last enclosed in shells for their preservation, but they appear upon the tree at all seasons, and in every degree of maturity. In tropical countries, on the uninhabited shores of the islands, the cocoa-tree bears at once 12 or 15 clusters of cocoa-nuts, some in the bud, others in flower, others knit, others full of milk, and finally, some in a state of perfect maturity. The cocoa is the seaman's tree.

The productions of our corn-fields and vineyards present dispositions still more wonderful; for though the ear of corn has several faces, its grains come to maturity at the same time, from the mobility of its straw, which presents them to all the aspects of the sun. The vine does not grow in form or a bush nor of a tree, but in hedge-rows; and though its berries be arranged in form of clusters, their transparency renders them throughout penetrable by the rays of the sun. Nature thus lays men under the necessity, from the spontaneous maturity of these fruits, destined to the general support of human life, to unite their labours, and mutually assist each other in the pleasant toils of the harvest and the vintage. The corn-field and the vineyard may be considered as the most powerful cements of society; for although nature has refused to the corn-plant and the vine the power of yielding their fruits at all seasons of the year, she has bestowed on the flour of the one and the wine of the other, the quality of being preservable for ages.