Look next into the street , where we have seen an amusing parallel to the combat of those fancied demons in the upper regions . It is a snow-battle of school-boys . What a pretty satire on war and military glory might be written , in the form of a child 's story , by describing the snowball-fights of two rival schools , the alternate defeats and victories of each , and the final triumph of one party , or perhaps of neither ! What pitched battles , worthy to be chanted in Homeric strains ! What storming of fortresses , built all of massive snowblocks ! What feats of individual prowess , and embodied onsets of martial enthusiasm ! And when some well-contested and decisive victory had put a period to the war , both armies should unite to build a lofty monument of snow upon the battle-field , and crown it with the victor 's statue , hewn of the same frozen marble . In a few days or weeks thereafter , the passer-by would observe a shapeless mound upon the level common ; and , unmindful of the famous victory , would ask , `` How came it there ? Who reared it ? And what means it ? '' The shattered pedestal of many a battle monument has provoked these questions , when none could answer . Turn we again to the fireside , and sit musing there , lending our ears to the wind , till perhaps it shall seem like an articulate voice , and dictate wild and airy matter for the pen . Would it might inspire me to sketch out the personification of a New England winter ! And that idea , if I can seize the snow-wreathed figures that flit before my fancy , shall be the theme of the next page . How does Winter herald his approach ? By the shrieking blast of latter autumn , which is Nature 's cry of lamentation , as the destroyer rushes among the shivering groves where she has lingered , and scatters the sear leaves upon the tempest . When that cry is heard , the people wrap themselves in cloaks , and shake their heads disconsolately , saying , `` Winter is at hand ! '' Then the axe of the woodcutter echoes sharp and diligently in the forest ; then the coal-merchants rejoice , because each shriek of Nature in her agony adds something to the price of coal per ton ; then the peat-smoke spreads its aromatic fragrance through the atmosphere . A few days more ; and at eventide , the children look out of the window , and dimly perceive the flaunting of a snowy mantle in the air . It is stern Winter 's vesture .
They crowd around the hearth , and cling to their mother 's gown , or press between their father 's knees , affrighted by the hollow roaring voice , that bellows a-down the wide flue XXXXX the chimney .
By at if in into like of on to upon