THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. I51 
find something worth the plate. While I admit that all nature is 
more or less beautiful, still I do think there are many things that 
will not bear a close inspection, and at the same time impart a feel- 
ing of pleasure or awaken a profound emotion in the heart. This 
leads us to study, ponder, and investigate, then, after due considera- 
tion of our subject, we decide on the desirability of making the 
sketch or taking the view, and at once know if it will be pleasing 
and effective. 
To illustrate this point: Let us see how many phases of nature 
we pass through in following a tiny brook in its wanderings. After 
the spring source we find it merrily rippling over the small white 
pebbles, singing just a silvery liquid song. Soon it widens and 
seems to rest while it forms the pool and the pond. See the cattle 
standing on its brink or in its cooling depths. ‘Then it is off again 
gathering new strength—no longer can you step from stone to stone 
to reach the other side. The old bridge spans its banks—now it 
darts into the woodland—see how it undermines that tall pine ; the 
sturdy oak succumbs to.its power, and lo! they both come crashing 
down, but on it goes increasing in strength, dashing against stones, 
boiling and seething, leaping in cascades, tumbling in waterfalls, turn- 
the old mill-wheel, floating the logs, and now we behold the peaceful 
river with life on its placid bosom. First we see the little skiff, then the 
small white sail, and then the larger craft. Villages here and there 
dot its banks. Soon citiesappear, and now its impure waters move 
sluggishly down to the sea. _ No longer does it fill the heart with 
pleasure or the eye with crystal images. Now, alas! its dark sullen 
waters are made a convenience for commercial traffic and enterprise, 
and if we go to its banks we hear only its monotonous swish against 
the pier, or the angry plunge of its larger waves. 
Let us look more closely into this hurried description and see 
if there are any art lessons we can draw from the different scenes 
through which we have passed. We will find a few pictures here 
and there which I think are in keeping, and complete in themselves. 
Permit me to suggest : 
(1). The small stream, of no particular interest without water- 
fowl or, perhaps, an urchin picking water-cress. 
(2). The pond. How many interesting subjects may we get 
here? Cattle drinking, ducks paddling, the old punt half sunken in 
the water, children bailing with an old lobster can, the weeds and 
