TOUCHES OF NATURE 63 
tion hides the ground less than we think. Look- 
ing across a wide valley in the month of July, I 
have noted that the fields, except the meadows, had 
a ruddy tinge, and that corn, which near at hand 
seemed to completely envelop the soil, at that dis- 
tance gave only a slight shade of green. The color 
of the ground everywhere predominated, and I doubt 
not, if we could see the earth from a point sufficiently 
removed, as from the moon, its ruddy hue, like that 
of Mars, would alone be visible. 
What is a man but a miniature earth, with many 
disguises in the way of manners, possessions, dis- 
semblances, etc.? Yet through all—through all 
the work of his hands and all the thoughts of his 
mind — how surely the ground quality of him, the 
fundamental hue, whether it be this or that, makes 
itseif felt and is alone important! 
XV 
Men follow their noses, it is said. I have won- 
dered why the Greek did not follow his nose in ar- 
chitecture,— did not copy those arches that spring 
from it as from a pier, and support his brow,— but 
always and everywhere used the post and the lintel. 
There was something in that face that has never 
reappeared in the human countenance. I am think- 
ing especially of that straight, strong profile. Is it 
really godlike, or is this impression the result of 
association? But any suggestion or reminiscence 
of it in the modern face at once gives one the idea 
of strength. It is a face strong in the loins, or it 
