l82 



IRature StuMes in IBcvkehiic. 



variety, swiftness of change, richness, and intensity. 

 There has not been a cloudless sunset for more than 

 a month ; and that implies a wealth of colour effects 

 at that attractive hour. But crimson and gold are 

 not the only nor the most attractive colours in the 

 scale. Such marvels in greys and whites and blues 

 were never wrought into the lower firmament be- 

 fore. Such pinks and bronzes never tinged the great 

 thunder-heads to the east and south, in afternoon 

 and sunset lights. Such contrasts between the angry 

 blue-blacks of the rain- and wind-clouds with the 

 clear, deep azure of the sky behind them, never be- 

 wildered the marvelling eye. It is useless to attempt 

 any transcription into words of what cannot be con- 

 veyed except to the eye, in colour itself. But the 

 lover of clouds will count it one of the compensa- 

 tions of this soaking summer in ISIew England, that 

 it has been the occasion of the most splendid display 

 of cloud-forms and colours for many a long year. 



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