266 STUDIES IN THE FIELD AJ[D FOREST. 



cottage upon it, is suggestive of a multitude of pleas- 

 ing fancies connected with rural life and retirement. In 

 this case, we think not so much of the difficulty of 

 gaining access to town, or even of coming on shore, as 

 of the peaceful seclusion it seems calculated to afford. 

 The lake suggests no such ideas ; it is chiefly attractive 

 by its own beautiful sheen of crystal water, by its as- 

 sociation with boat excursions on serene afternoons or 

 moonlight evenings, and with rural pleasures connected 

 with the scenes on its shore. 



