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TRACKS IN THE SNOW 



January 1, 1854. The snow is the great betrayer. 

 We might expect to find in the snow the footprint of 

 a life superior to our own, of which no zoology takes 

 cognizance. Is there no trace of a nobler life than that 

 of an otter or an escaped convict to be looked for in 

 the snow.'' Shall we suppose that that is the only life 

 that has been abroad in the night.'' It is only the 

 savage that can see the track of no higher life than an 

 otter. Why do the vast snow plains give us pleasure, 

 the twilight of the bent and half -buried woods? Is 

 not all there consonant with virtue, justice, purity, 

 courage, magnanimity.'' Are we not cheered by the 

 sight.f" And does not all this amount to the track of a 

 higher life than the otter's, a life which has not gone 

 by and left a footprint merely, but is there with its 

 beauty, its music, its perfume, its sweetness, to ex- 

 hilarate and recreate us.'' Where there is a perfect 

 government of the world according to the highest 

 laws, is there no trace of intelligence there, whether 

 in the snow or the earth, or in ourselves? No other 

 trail but such as a dog can smell? Is there none which 

 an angel can detect and follow? None to guide a man 

 on his pilgrimage, which water will not conceal? Is 

 there no odor of sanctity to be perceived? Is its trail 

 too old? Have mortals lost the scent? The great game 

 for mighty hunters as soon as the first snow falls is 

 Purity, for, earlier than any rabbit or fox, it is abroad, 



