The east grew pale, the morning broke brightly, and, like a harbinger of happy tidings, the great sun heaved his rim above the horizon, shooting his slant rays over field and forest, which glittered, in their frosty garb, as if they had been sprinkled with diamonds. It was a season and a scene to cheer the most despondent, and to wake reflection in the most worldly mind. At this instant, however– although their influence was not without its effect in still further dispelling the gloom which had a little while before so completely veiled my mental horizon.