STILL WATERS 
the world. It does not startle or oppress one 
like a mountainons country, but is ever quict 
and peaceful, having about it the serenity of its 
smooth-faced waters. 
But these waters of Holland and Venice, with 
all their charm, have really little of nature 
about them ; or, at the least, what there is of 
nature is so alloyed with the artificial that we 
think of them only in connection with huraan- 
ity. After seeing them we instinctively hark 
back to the mountain-lake. It seems to lie so 
much nearer to nature’s heart. Its shores and 
islands, its water and sky, its lapping waves 
and fresh-blowing winds, are stimulating, invig- 
orating, strong with the strength of youth and 
instinct with life. Beautiful in repose, the 
mountain-lake is not without beauty when 
agitated. Even in storm, when the first heavy 
drops of rain spatter the smooth surface and the 
sweep of the wind may be seen in the ruffled 
water-line, when the waves are dashing and 
tossing on the island shores and the roar of the 
tempest can be heard along the sides of the 
wooded mountains, even then the mountain- 
lake is more beautiful than almost any other 
body of water in repose. After many summers 
spent at Venice, I hope I am not insensible 
The moun- 
tain-lake 
again, 
Lake 
beauty. 
