OCTOBER 



15 



As I pushed up the river past Hildreth's, I saw 

 a blue heron arise from the shore, and disappear 

 round a bend in front ; the greatest of the bitterns, 

 with heavy undulating wings low over the water, 

 seen against the woods, just disappearing round a 

 bend in front ; with a great slate-colored expanse 

 of wing, suited to the shadows of the stream, a 

 tempered blue as of the sky and dark water com- 

 mingled. 



THOKEAU: Autumn. 



16 



The witch-hazel here is in full blossom on this 

 magical hillside, while its broad yellow leaves are 

 falling. Some bushes are completely bare of 

 leaves, and leather-colored they strew the ground. 

 It is an extremely interesting plant, October and 

 November child, and yet reminds me of the very 

 earliest spring. Its blossoms smell like the spring, 

 like the willow catkins. By their color as well as 

 fragrance they belong to the saffron dawn of the 

 year, suggesting amid all these signs of autumn, 

 falling leaves, and frost, that the life of nature by 

 which she eternally flourishes is untouched. 



THOKEAU: Autumn. 



