Nature and Culture 49 



not give what we receive, we are not in harmony 

 with God and Nature. We are aside from them, 

 and they leave us out. We are only black pools of 

 brine which Nature sets as examples of sterility, 

 bitterness, and desolation. Looking down perpen- 

 dicularly into the sea from a ship's side we find 

 absolute blackness; no gleam of the sun is returned 

 from the bottomless abyss. Nature is ceaselessly 

 industrious. The cool and delightful breeze which 

 blows across this island rises and falls, lulls and 

 increases, now sinks to so soft a movement that by 

 watching our opportunity, though it is rare, we may 

 obtain photographs of the foliage and of the watery 

 mirror— and now rising till the trees sway and some 

 fall — but it is never idle, neither night nor day. The 

 lake is never listless. When it is not rippling in 

 the sun or in the moonlight, or making music on its 

 beaches, it is reflecting the scenery of the shores 

 and of the clouds. It never ceases its contribu- 

 tions either to activity or to beauty. Like a sweet 

 face, its gifts, in smiles, or in placidity, or in tears, 

 or in repose, or in the calmness of slumber, keep 

 the heart of the loving beholder ever full, A 

 moment ago I was attracted out upon the balcony 

 by some music in the tree-tops. There were four 

 of the songsters, each of differing variety and song. 

 I sought out one of them with my eyes and watched 

 him. No sooner was his song ended than he 

 changed his position quickly, then flew down and 

 busied himself here and there for a little time, and 



