ATMOSPHERE — PAINTING. 57 



and I have little doubt that when Williams returns to his 

 native land, the contents of his portfolio will create asso- 

 ciations in the breast of every true lover of nature, not 

 unworthy the calm glory of a Grecian autumn, or the 

 evening splendour which invests the blue mountains of 

 Friuli. 



" But I forget my own picture while reflecting on those 

 of others. I have said that the sky was such as Claude 

 would have rejoiced to imitate. There was a mild and 

 almost breathless stillness in the air, which he alone knew 

 how to represent, although all who have studied the finest 

 features of landscape must be aware, that it is to this we 

 owe some of our most delightful and harmonious percep- 

 tions, while contemplating the beauty of external nature. 



' A harmony, 

 So do I call it, though it be the land 

 Of silence, though there be no voice.' — 



" The battlements of a strongly fortified city were seen 

 at some height in the distance, their square lines broken 

 by deep masses of wood ; while in the nearer ground there 

 were open groves, with green fields intersected by irregular 

 footpaths, and scattered cottages partly concealed by large 

 single trees. We were in the neighbourhood of Basle, the 

 frontier town ; but the gates were unfortunately closed 

 for the night, so we were forced to remain in a small 

 village on the outside of the walls. My excursion this 



