The Rambles of an Idler 



sunlight. It is a dark day but not a dismal one. 

 There is much in Nature that defies language. 

 A correct description is alike beyond the mathe- 

 matician and the poet. An approach to it is 

 all one can accomplish. The writer can but 

 outline ; the reader must fill in for himself. As 

 an instance, the air we breathe, when it threat- 

 ens to rain, is not just the same as in ordinary 

 weather. It is equally acceptable to the lungs 

 but we appreciate a difference while inhaling 

 it. We can speak of electricity, ozone, oxygen, 

 but we must breathe that subtle something then 

 abroad to know what it all means. At such a 

 time, too, there is not so bright a light as when 

 the sun shines, yet the horizon is more distinct 

 and intervening objects stand out as not be- 

 fore. An apparent contradiction, so far as 

 mere words go, but it is true, nevertheless. 

 No bird sings more loudly than when the sun 

 shines, yet we can hear each note, just before 

 the rain, more distinctly than in fair weather. 

 Words, mere words, again ! The ring of every 

 bird's note, the odor of every blossom, the effect 

 on the eye of the peculiar light; in brief, the 

 comprehensive impression of all surrounding 

 us laughs at language. 



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