124 SYLVAN WINTER. 



and toucliing here and there a few other pro- 

 minent objects, imperceptibly mixes its ruddy 

 tint with the surrounding mists, setting on fire, 

 as it were, their upper parts, while their lower 

 skirts are lost in a dark mass of varied confusion, 

 in which trees and ground and radiance and 

 obscurity are all blended together. When the eye 

 is fortunate enough to catch the glowing instant 

 (for it is always a vanishing scene), it furnishes 

 an idea worth treasuring amongst the choicest 

 appearances of Nature. Mistiness alone, we 

 have observed, occasions a confusion in objects, 

 which is often picturesque ; but the glory of the 

 vision depends on the glowing lights which are 

 mingled with it.' 



In a thunderstorm, rain doubtless produces 

 its finest effect. One element of the impression 

 it makes is its suddenness and impetuosity. The 

 heavily-rushing downpour is itself picturesque, 

 and its accompanying incidents are striking- — the 

 most important being the rapid accumulation of 

 flood-water and the powerful effect which is often 

 produced by it in a brief space of time. But 

 the silent fall has its interest and beauty. Part 



