322 Gilpin's foeest soenbey. 



with tlie reflections only of efi'ulgence, a pleasing, 

 progressive liglit, dubious and amusing, is thrown 

 over the face of things. A single ray is able to 

 assist the picturesque eye, which, by such slender 

 aid, creates a thousand imaginary forms, if the 

 scene be unknown ; and, as the light steals 

 gradually on, is amused by correcting its vague 

 ideas by the real objects. What, in the confusion 

 of twilight, perhaps, seemed a stretch of rising 

 ground, broken into various parts, becomes now 

 vast masses of wood, and an extent of forest. 



As the sun begins to appear above the horizon, 

 another change takes place. What was before 

 only form, being now enlightened, begins to 

 receive effect. This effect depends on two cir- 

 cumstances, the catching lights which touch the 

 summits of every object, and the mistiness in 

 which the rising orb is commonly enveloped. 



The effect is often pleasing, when the sun rises 

 in unsullied brightness, diffusing its ruddy light 

 over the upper parts of objects, which is con- 

 trasted by the deeper shadows below ; yet the 

 effect is then only transcendent when he rises, 

 accompanied by a train of vapours, in a misty 



