The tree grew within and
surmounted a little hollow, formed by the even and combined natural
descents, to that common centre, of four hills, beautifully grouped,
which surrounded and completely fenced it in. Their descents were smooth
and even, without a single abruptness, to the bottom, in the centre of
which rose the sycamore, which, from its own situation, conferred the
name of Sycamore Hollow on the sweet spot upon which it stood. A spring,
trickling from beneath its roots, shaded by its folding branches from
the thirsty heats of the summer sun, kept up a low and continuous
prattle with the pebbles over which it made its way, that consorted
sweetly with the secluded harmonies that overmantled, as with a mighty
wing, the sheltered place.
Scenes like these are abundant enough in the southern country; and by
their quiet, unobtrusive, and softer beauties, would seem, and not
inefficiently or feebly, to supply in most respects the wants of those
bolder characteristics, in which nature in those regions is confessedly
deficient.
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