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NATURE FOR ITS OWN SAKE 



but the jagged, saw-like effect of the higher 

 peaks is gone. The sharp diagonal and the 

 perpendicular line give place to the horizon- 

 tal and the rolling line. These mountains are 

 worn smooth by the elements, all the surfaces 

 are rounded, and timber and grass grow readily 

 upon them. But the mountain silhouette is 

 still apparent in clear-cut rim ; and everywhere 

 trailing along the sky the eye meets the sweep- 

 ing lines of ridge and promontory, or the bil- 

 lowy roll of descending lines flowing down by 

 terraces into the valleys. How very beautiful 

 these are in their undulation, as they join ridge 

 upon ridge in rhythmical sequence ! They twine 

 and intertwine, curve and intercurve, weave 

 and interweave along the sky and through 

 the valley, until the whole fabric of the hills 

 seems like a precious decorative pattern of 

 green and purple embroidered on a blue-gray 

 ground. There are no lines in nature more 

 beautiful (save only water lines) than those of 

 the mountains and the hills particularly the 

 untimbered hills, for as we descend from lofty 

 heights the forms grow more graceful and 

 rhythmical at every step. 



And you who have, perhaps, lived for years 

 with these mountains visible from your win- 



