JANUARY 



II 



The sunsets of winter are incomparably splendid ; 

 aud when the ground is covered with snow, no 

 brilliancy of tint expressible by words can come 

 within an infinite distance of the effect. Our 

 southern view at that time, with the clouds and 

 atmospherical hues, is quite indescribable ; . . . 

 the various distances of the hills which lie between 

 us and the remote dome of Taconic are brought 

 out with an accuracy unattainable in summer. 

 The transparency of the air at this season has the 

 effect of a telescope in bringing objects apparently 

 near, while it leaves the scene all its breadth. 



HAWTHORNE: American Note-Books. 



12 



The solitary pine, unhindered, symmetrical, green 

 to its lowermost twig, as it rises out of the meadow 

 or stands a-tiptoe on the rocky ledge, is a thing 

 of beauty, a pleasure to every eye. A pity and a 

 shame that it should not be more common ! But 

 the pine forest, dark, spacious, slumberous, musi- 

 cal ! Here is something better than beauty, dearer 

 than pleasure. When we enter this cathedral, un- 

 less we enter it unworthily, we speak not of such 

 things. Every tree may be imperfect, with half 

 its branches dead for want of room or want of sun, 

 but until the devotee turns critic an easy step, 

 alas, for half-hearted worshipers we are conscious 



of no lack. 



TOKREY: The Foot-Path Way. 



