THE SNOW-WALKERS. 



HE who marvels at the beauty of the world in 

 summer will find equal cause for wonder and admira- 

 tion in winter. It is true the pomp and the pageantry 

 are swept away, but the essential elements remain, 

 the clay and the night, the mountain and the valley, 

 the elemental play and succession and the perpetual 

 presence of the infinite sky. In winter the stars 

 seem to have rekindled their fires, the moon achieves 

 a fuller triumph, and the heavens wear a look of a 

 more exalted simplicity. Summer is more wooing 

 and seductive, more versatile and human, appeals to 

 the affections and the sentiments, and fosters inquiry 

 and the art impulse. Winter is of a more heroic 

 cast, and addresses the intellect. The severe studies 

 and disciplines come easier in winter. One imposes 

 larger tasks upon himself, and is less tolerant of his 

 own weaknesses. 



The tendinous part of the mind, so to speak, is 

 more developed in winter ; the fleshy, in summer. I 

 should say winter had given the bone and sinew to 

 Literature, summer the tissues and blood. 



The simplicity of winter has a deep moral. The 



