^be ^oucb of llneplration 



THE art of describing things with the 

 utmost economy of words and at the 

 same time with absolute picturesqueness 

 of effect is nearly always exhibited as if by 

 accident. The poets have a way of sur- 

 prising us with these unexpected flashes 

 of success in reproducing the most strik- 

 ing phenomena of nature. The words, 



Ragged rims of thunder brooding low, 

 With shadow-streaks of rain, 



bring up in the imagination a perfect 

 sketch of a thunder-shower on the horizon. 

 One feels the cool, damp wind-puffs from 

 the distant cloud, and sees the slanting 

 films trailing on the dim hills. There is a 

 mellow sound of disturbed elements and 

 throbbing storm-troubles in the phras- 

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