harper THE MOON AND THOREAU 310 



autumn one hears the katydids, and crickets. The shadows of the 

 trees and shrubs are more conspicuous than the objects them- 

 selves, the slight irregularities in the ground are revealed by 

 shadows, while landscapes are more variegated and picturesque. 

 All white objects appear more remarkable than in the day. The 

 foliage of woods is heavy and dark. The moonlight reflected from 

 particular stumps in the recess of the forest as if she selected what 

 to shine on. The senses of hearing and smelling become more alert. 



When the moon is three-quarters full the nights are very still. 

 The moon gives a white cold light thru which one can see far dis- 

 tinctly. To appreciate the moonlight one must stand in the shade. 



Even by night the sky is blue and not black, for one can see 

 through the shadow of the earth into the distant atmosphere of 

 day where the sunbeams are revealing. 



Thoreau says, "How insupportable would be the days if the 

 night with its dews and darkness did not come to restore the droop- 

 ing world." 



Thoreau's description of a full moon rising on a summer night is 

 beautiful. It is as follows, "The full moon rising at nine o'clock is 

 revealed first by some slight clouds above the eastern horizon 

 looking white, first indicating that she is about to rise. In the west 

 similar clouds seen against a lighter sky look dark and heavy. 

 Now a lower cloud in the east reflects a more yellowish light. The 

 moon far over the round globe travelling this way, sends her light 

 forward to yonder cloud, from which news of her coming is re- 

 flected. The moon's aurora! it is without redness like the dawn 

 of philosophy. Only belated travellers to greet her. More and more 

 yellow glows the low cloud with concentrating light, and now the 

 moon's edge suddenly appears above a low bank of cloud not seen 

 before and she comes forward apace without introduction after all; 

 and the steadiness when she rises with undisturbed serenity — like 

 a queen who has learned to walk before her court, is glorious and 

 she soon reaches the open sea of the heavens. She seems to advance 

 by graceful sallying essays trailing her garment up the sky." 



"Time wears her not; she doth his chariot guide; 

 Mortality below her orb is placed." 



— Raleigh 



