PREFACE 



Thoreau writes in his journal, under date of De- 

 cember 10, 1856: "It is remarkable how suggestive 

 the slightest drawing as a memento of things seen. 

 For a few years past I have been accustomed to make 

 a rude sketch in my journal of plants, ice, and various 

 natural phenomena, and though the fullest accom- 

 panying description may fail to recall my experience, 

 these rude outline drawings do not fail to carry me 

 back to that time and scene. It is as if I saw the same 

 thing again, and I may again attempt to describe it 

 in words if I choose." 



The present volume is an endeavor to go a step be- 

 yond Thoreau's sketches and to reproduce, with the 

 aid of photographs, some of the outdoor scenes and 

 natural phenomena in which he delighted and which 

 he has so graphically described. The series of views 

 is limited, of necessity, but a sufficient number are 

 given to illustrate Thoreau's method of nature-study 

 as well as to emphasize anew the accuracy and felicity 

 of his nature-descriptions. It is hoped, also, that this 

 combination of verbal and pictorial representation 

 will stimulate to a wider apprehension and a more 

 vivid realization of the Beautiful in Nature, — thus 

 continuing, in a measure, Thoreau's self-appointed 

 mission. 



