148 



NATURE FOR ITS OWN SAKE 



bend of a basin worn out by water, but the vast, 

 rounded curve of a headland against the sky ; 

 not merely the graceful roll of wave-worn lines 

 on a sand-beach, but the circular swing of a 

 cove or bay against the sea. Lest there should 

 be too much flowing smoothness about such 

 lines, there is always the rectangular block or 

 the splintered shaft that protrudes above the 

 line of the headland, the uneven sand-dune, or 

 the broken mass of the forest running back of 

 the bay to act as a foil. These are the sharp- 

 ly accented marks that save the scene from 

 weakness. And the broad masses of color are 

 not less powerful. The cobalt-blue of the sea 

 turning to violet in twilight shadow, the white, 

 gray, or yellow of the shore, the deep greens of 

 the forest, the blues and whites of the firma- 

 ment where else can such colors be equalled ? 

 They are the primary chords in one of nature's 

 greatest harmonies. 



The coloring of the coast is more susceptible 

 to the influence of light and sky reflection 

 than almost any other portion of the earth. 

 Possibly the cause for this lies in the great re- 

 flecting field of water so close at hand. The sea 

 not only throws back the light of the heavens, but 

 it thickens the coast atmosphere, thus regulat* 



