1885.] THE WOODS IN AUTUMN. 483 



THE WOODS IN AUTUMN. 



FPiEED from the toil, the turmoil, and the conventionalities of a 

 thoroughly artificial existence, there can be nothing more 

 soothing to the properly organized mind than to recline half-buried 

 in the ferns and tangled grasses that clothe the banks of this laughing 

 sunlit stream. Here in truth is rest for both mind and body, and 

 here we may drink to the fill the cup of enjoyment we promised 

 ourselves ; for is not this the very essence of that relaxation which, 

 when parched and w^eary, we have looked forward to, as soon as 

 ever the leafy forest had become touched with a glamour of gold 

 and crimson and brown, as soon as ever the month of October had 

 been ushered in with all the glory of its autumnal colouring ? 



And the variety of tint is as interminable as the number of com- 

 binations possible to be produced upon the musical scale, nay, rather, 

 as countless as the sands upon the sea-swept shore. 



See there across the stream how each individual tree is clothed 

 in its own garment, and even upon each leaf of each of these trees 

 may be noticed a fresh shade or a novel arrangement of colour ; and 

 see too how this endless combination of minute particles blends into 

 one gloriously harmonious picture, soothing alike to the eye and 

 through this medium to the senses. How" the mass of foliage glows 

 again, for a great fleecy cloud has passed across old Sol's face, who, 

 smiling genially once more, sends forth a flood of light, bringing 

 with it fresh touches, and splendid and ever-changing effects of 

 light and shade. And see upon the hill forming the background 

 how rich is the foliage of the Scotch pine. Their warm red stems 

 call for special admiration, and here produce a pleasing contrast to 

 the surrounding clumps of birch in their soft russet brown suit, 

 which so strangely corresponds to the garment they wear in early 

 spring before the enveloping sheaths drop away from the bursting 

 buds, following the slope of the hill, a few fine beeches attract 

 attention. They actually seem possessed of a power of giving forth 

 light, for even now rays of gold and copper flash from the upper 

 sprays swaying in the freshening breeze, as if to enliven the still 

 sombre green of the middle and lower branches. These in their 

 turn are succeeded by the almost geometrical columns of a clump 

 of spruce fir, which give place farther down to a round-headed 

 scyamore with its pure delicate yellow foliage, while a great 

 Spanish chestnut, only now acquiring its first touches of golden 

 brown, overhangs the stream where it bends away to the left and 

 is lost to view. 



