TOUCHES OF NATURE 63 



tion hides the ground less than we think. Look- 

 ing across a wide valley in the month of July, I 

 have noted that the fields, except the meadows, had 

 a ruddy tinge, and that corn, which near at hand 

 seemed to completely envelop the soil, at that dis- 

 tance gave only a slight shade of green. The color 

 of the ground everywhere predominated, and I doubt 

 not, if we could see the earth from a point sufficiently 

 removed, as from the moon, its ruddy hue, like that 

 of Mars, would alone be visible. 



What is a man but a miniature earth, with many 

 disguises in the way of manners, possessions, dis- 

 semblances, etc. ? Yet through all — through all 

 the work of his hands and all the thoughts of his 

 mind — how surely the ground quality of him, the 

 fundamental hue, whether it be this or that, makes 

 itself felt and is alone important ! 



Men follow their noses, it is said. I have won- 

 dered why the Greek did not follow his nose in ar- 

 chitecture, — did not copy those arches that spring 

 from it as from a pier, and support his brow, — but 

 always and everywhere used the post and the lintel. 

 There was something in that face that has never 

 reappeared in the human countenance. I am think- 

 ing especially of that straight, strong profile. Is it 

 really godlike, or is this impression the result of 

 association? But any suggestion or reminiscence 

 of it in the modern face at once gives one the idea 

 of strength. It is a face strong in the loins, or it 



