264 STUDIES IN THE FIELD AND FOREST. 



lake, or an arm of the sea, derives its charms almost 

 wholly from the water, which is at the same time the 

 symbol of peace and plenty, and the mirror of heaven. 

 A hermitage by the side of a stream affords a secret 

 retreat, still more delightful from its fancied association 

 with pious seclusion from the world. Every flower 

 that looks up to us from the green, mossy turf; every 

 bird that warbles in the neighboring copse, and every 

 insect that hums in the herbage at our feet, has a sooth- 

 ing influence, that for a season dispels every care, and 

 every feverish excitement. Then do we feel that nature 

 only has power to administer that solace which is balm 

 to the soul, when one is vexed with care and weary of 

 men. 



One of the sentiments often awakened by a water 

 prospect, is that of sublimity. But this can only arise 

 from an extensive view of the ocean or of a cataract. 

 Ordinarily, therefore, except by the sea-shore, we sel- 

 dom behold a sufficient expanse of water to affect us 

 with a sentiment of grandeur. This influence is greater 

 when a wide sea-view comes suddenly upon the eye, 

 after one has passed through a succession of beautiful, 

 quiet, and rather confined scenes. Small lakes and 

 rivers greatly enhance the beauty of a pastoral land- 

 scape, because they afford the best evidence of good 

 pasturage as well as of a plentiful supply of water to 

 the flocks and grazing herds. Painters, taking advan- 

 tage of this expression, often represent in one of their 

 side views, the cattle standing up to their knees in a 

 little pond of water, while the green rushes and unde- 

 faced shrubbery growing about them make manifest its 

 clearness and purity. Ocean scenery is not favorable 

 to pastoral expression ; but it enhances the beauty of 

 sunrise, and adds grandeur to the sublimity of a tempest. 



