112 
RURAL HOURS. 
loaded with them ; unfortunately, no one in the house was aware 
of their visit at the time. At that early hour, the whole village 
Avas quiet, and only a feAv persons saAV them. They Avere not 
molested, and remained some little time, flutiering about the trees, 
or settling on them in large parties. When the fog rose, they 
iook flight again. What a pity to have missed so unusual a 
' sight ! 
Saturday, 9th. — Charming day. Pleasant roAV on the lake, 
Avhich looks very inviting this Avarm weather ; the vieAvs are al- 
ways pleasing : hills and forest, farms and groves, encircling a 
beautiful sheet of Avater. 
’ There is certainly no natural object, among all those Avhich 
make up a landscape, Avinning so much upon our aSection, as 
water. It is an essential part of prospects, Avidely different in 
character. Mountains form a more striking and imposing feature, 
and they give to a country a character of majesty Avhicli cannot 
exist without them ; but not even the mountains, Avith all their 
sublime prerogative, can wholly satisfy the mind, wlien stripped 
of torrent, cascade, or lake ; Avhile, on tlie other hand, if there be 
■ only a quiet brook running through a raeadoAV in some familiar 
spot, the eye Avill often turn, unconsciously, in that direction, and 
linger Avith interest upon the humble stream. ObserA'e, also, that 
the Avaters in themselves are capable of the highest degree of 
beauty, Avithout the aid of any foreign element to enhance their 
dignity ; giA'e them full SAvay, let them spread themselves into 
their Avidest expanse, let them roll into boundless seas, enfolding 
the earth in their embrace, Avith half the heavens for their canopy, 
and assuredly they have no need to borroAV from the mountain 
or the forest. 
i 
