FEBRUARY. 45 



C. — We have wandered far ; and shall scarcely be at 

 home before nightfall. Tlie temperature of the air is falling 

 rapidly, as indicated by the crispness of the snow^ which 

 crunches beneath our feet. 



F. — Yes ; we shall have a cold night : we must walk 

 fast to keep a rapid circulation, or we shall run the risk of 

 having our noses or cheeks frozen. 



C. — My eyelashes freeze together, for an instant, when 

 I wink, already : and your whiskers are as white, with 

 your frozen breath, as if they were silvered with age. The 

 severe cold makes the cheeks tingle, as if the points of 

 needles were running into them. It is pleasant to think 

 that we have a comfortable home, and a cheerful fire to 

 look forward to. 



F. — The sun has set : we are apt to associate a glowing 

 sunset with summer, and warm weather; but here is one 

 which is not often surpassed. Observe how rich the crim- 

 son near the horizon ; in what bold relief the shaggy hem- 

 locks of yonder mountain stand out against the fiery sky ; 

 mark, too, the beautiful gradation of colour as it approaches 

 the zenith ! the glowing, furnace-like red becomes orange, 

 then changes to bright flame-colour, deep yellow, pale straw- 

 yellow, diluting till at length every warm tinge is lost in 

 the cool and soft blue of the general sky — the yellow lost 

 in the blue without the least hue of greenness where they 

 unite. 



C. — The black hills, and dark masses of cloud make the 

 clear sky seem more rich and brilliant by their contrast. 



F, — The most brilliant sunsets I have ever seen were at 

 sea, in June and July ; there the sky is often bathed in the 

 most gorgeous tints, glowing in crimson and gold, and the 

 clouds take the form of a beautiful country, interspersed with 

 groves and thickets, and bright lawns ; with calm lakes, 

 studded with little islets; and these so accurately imaged 



