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SHRUB OAK LEAVES 



November 29, 1857. Again I am struck by the 

 singularly wholesome colors of the withered oak 

 leaves, especially the shrub oak, so thick and firm 

 and unworn, without speck or fret, clear reddish- 

 brown (sometimes paler or yellowish brown), its 

 whitish under sides contrasting with it in a very 

 cheerful manner. So strong and cheerful, as if it 

 rejoiced at the advent of winter, and exclaimed, 

 "Winter, come on!" It exhibits the fashionable 

 colors of the winter on the two sides of its leaves. It 

 sets the fashions, colors good for bare ground or for 

 snow, grateful to the eyes of rabbits and partridges. 

 This is the extent of its gaudiness, red brown and 

 misty white, and yet it is gay. The colors of the 

 brightest flowers are not more agreeable to my eye. 



Journal, x, 214. 



December 1, 1856. The dear wholesome color 

 of shrub oak leaves, so Qlean and firm, not decaying, 

 but which have put on a kind of immortality, not 

 wrinkled and thin like the white oak leaves, but full- 

 veined and plump, as nearer earth. Well-tanned 

 leather on the one side, sun-tanned, color of colors^ 

 color of the cow and the deer, silver-downy beneath 

 turned toward the late bleached and russet fields 

 What are acanthus leaves and the rest to this.'' Em 

 blem of my winter condition. I love and could em 



