SHADOW AND SUNSHINE. 121 



close against the erratic. A tree not a habita- 

 tion founded upon a rock! 



The shadows of maple, oak and beech fall 

 athwart the blue-grass and the ironweeds, and 

 the light and dark spots add to the variety and 

 attractiveness of the old pasture. In the one is 

 coolness, in the other the yellow, blinding glare 

 of an almost tropical sun. Shadow and sun- 

 shine, bitter and sweet, sorrow and happiness, 

 ever intermingled, the one ever following the 

 other where e'er we tread, what e'er we do ! 



XXVIII. 



July 17, '04. A fortnight more for me is 

 nevermore. Two weeks of life, of love, of labor 

 have gone by since last I sat by thee, my bould- 

 ers, and communed with the spirits of the 

 woods. To-day, again, the sun sends down his 

 rays with strong refulgent force. To-day, again, 

 the south wind soughs through the valley and 

 cools my perspiring brow. 



The processes of nature, ever working, never 

 ceasing, are going on in this old woods pasture, 

 as on the top of Mount Olympus, wherever that 



