C 107 ] 



November 21, 1850. I saw Fair Haven Pond with 

 its island, and meadow between the island and the 

 shore, and a strip of perfectly still and smooth water 

 in the lee of the island, and two hawks, fish hawks 

 perhaps, sailing over it. I did not see how it could 

 be improved. Yet I do not see what these things can 

 be. I begin to see such an object when I cease to 

 understand it and see that I did not realize or appre- 

 ciate it before, but I get no further than this. How 

 adapted these forms and colors to my eye ! A meadow 

 and an island! What are these things? Yet the 

 hawks and the ducks keep so aloof ! and Nature is so 

 reserved! I am made to love the pond and the 

 meadow, as the wind is made to ripple the water. 



Journal, 11, 107. 



