Midsummer 



the wake of civilization line our way. 

 Suddenly we leave these behind. Dart- 

 ing into the deep forest we catch glimpses 

 of the shyer woodland beauties. Now 

 and then we span a foaming river, on 

 whose steep shores we may detect, with 

 the eagerness of a sportsman, some long- 

 sought rarity. 



It is always a fresh surprise and dis- 

 appointment to me to find that I can 

 seldom reach on foot such wild and 

 promising spots as the railway window 

 reveals. Is it possible that the swiftly 

 vanishing scene has been illuminated by 

 the imagination which has been allowed 

 the freer play from the improbability of 

 any necessity for future readjustment? 

 However that may be, I find that my 

 book possesses but little charm till an 

 aching head warns me to refrain from too 

 constant a vigil. 



Just now, from such a coigne of van- 

 tage, when the unclouded sun beats upon 



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