Thoreau's Observations on Fogs, Clouds and Rain 



Florence White, 

 Yorktown, N. Y. 



Thoreau, a lover of nature, and a keen observer in all that 

 pertains to it, made most of his observations from the standpoint 

 of a camper. He had that gift, so rare in many of us, that of find- 

 ing pleasure and something interesting in ordinary things which 

 most of us call micjfortunes. It is for this reason I have chosen to 

 gather his writings on fogs, clouds and rain and put them in to un- 

 ified form. 



In speaking of joys he tells of a camping trip and quotes Bel- 

 knap the historian of Mass. as saying " 'In the neighborhood of 

 fresh rivers and ponds a whitish fog in the morning lying over the 

 water is a sure indication of fair weather for that day, and when 

 no fog is seen, rain is expected before night'. That which seemed 

 to us to invest the world was only a narrow and shallow wreath of 



vapor stretched over the channel of the Merrimack The fog, 



as it required more skill in steering, enhanced the interest of our 

 early voyage and made the river seem indefinitely broad. A 

 slight mist through which objects are faintly visible, has the effect 

 of expanding even ordinary streams by a singular mirage into 

 arms of the sea or inland lakes. In the present instance it was 

 even fragrant and invigorating and we enjoyed it as a sort of earl- 

 ier sunshine, or dewy and embryo light." 

 Again he quotes but does not give the source, 



"Low-anchored cloud, 



Newfoundland air. 



Fountain head, and source of rivers. 



Dew cloth, dream drapery. 



And napkin spread by fogs; 



Drifting meadow of the air. 



Where bloom the daised banks and violets. 



And in whose fenny labyrinth 



The bittern booms and heron wades ; 



Spirit of lakes, and seas and rivers, 



Bear only perfumes and the scent 



Of healiag herbs to just man's fields!" 

 "In the mountainous parts of the country, the ascent of vapors, 

 and their formation into clouds is a curious entertaining object. 



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