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LANE IN FRONT OF TARBELL'S 



September 4, 1851. The lane in front of Tarbell's 

 house, which is but little worn and appears to lead 

 nowhere, though it has so wide and all-engulfing 

 an opening, suggested that such things might be 

 contrived for effect in laying out grounds. (Only 

 those things are sure to have the greatest and best 

 effect, which like this were not contrived for the sake 

 of effect.) An open path which would suggest walk- 

 ing and adventuring on it, the going to some place 

 strange and far away. It would make you think of 

 or imagine distant places and spaces greater than 

 the estate. 



It was pleasant, looking back just beyond, to see 

 a heavy shadow (made by some high birches) reach- 

 ing quite across the road. Light and shadow are suffi- 

 cient contrast and furnish sufficient excitement when 

 we are well. 



Now we were passing the vale of Brown and Tar- 

 bell, a sunshiny mead pastured by cattle and spark- 

 ling with dew, the sound of crows and swallows 

 heard in the air, and leafy-columned elms seen here 

 and there shining with dew. The morning freshness 

 and unworldliness of that domain! The vale of 

 Tempe and of Arcady is not farther off than are the 

 conscious lives of men from their opportunities. Our 

 life is as far from corresponding to its scenery as we 

 are distant from Tempe and Arcadia; that is to say. 



