264 IValks in New England 



catest ferns, like the asplenium trichomanes, look 

 ing brisk in their slight hold on the rocks between 

 the snows ; the Christmas fern all know keeps 

 green through the winter, and the rich marginal 

 fern also. The greatest surprise is that of the 

 wild geranium, the herb robert, an exquisitely 

 slight plant, in leaf and flower, which blossoms in 

 winter if the least encouragement is given it by 

 the sun and wind. Not all these things will be 

 seen in one walk, even across lots. But the bit 

 tersweet berries, hanging over the bushes which 

 the vine twines around and chokes with its selfish 

 affection quite a human trait these are sure to 

 to be seen, and at the border of some pool the 

 splendid bright berries of the black alder, our 

 native holly, will catch the eye. 



Arrived at the mountain top, through whatever 

 hardships of pilgrimage, thus richly repaid, is there 

 not recompense enough for vastly more trouble ? 

 The wide country is spread before us, as interest 

 ing as in summer. Almost at the top of the 

 mountain one pauses to drink at the wayside 

 spring, over which, beneath their shelter of rocks, 

 nod and waver bright green ferns, as if it were not 

 winter at all. The draught we quaff is an elixir of 

 life, and becomes a part of the great glory of the 

 earth. Standing on the grand escarpment of rock 

 on the verge of the cliffs that lift themselves into 



