Nature and Art, July 1, 18J6.] 
A HANDFUL OF SAND. 
49 
And, again, the broad grey shadow of the cottage 
side gives an increase of vigour to the local 
colours. The brightest lights in the drawing will 
be found on the cottage wall, it being requisite 
that these should be clear and attractive. Next in 
degree of light is the road, with the intervals 
between the patches of grass, and so diffused as to 
cause the eye to regard the whole of the fore- 
ground. The shadows of the stone wall to the 
left, and across the road, connect the sides of the 
drawing, and repeat the tones of grey dispersed 
throughout it. For this purpose also, the shadows 
on the fragments of rock are of much service, as 
well as those of a warm colour. The cart is so 
placed as to repeat the tone of the stone wall ; and 
the black horse, to give a point of concentration ; 
while the colour of the figures subdues the whole. 
The position of the trees, encircling the subject 
with their deep and broken greens, is also valuable. 
The colours employed were, for the 
Sky — Cobalt. 
Clouds — Cobalt, sepia, and a little lake. 
Mountain — Cobalt, lake; yellow ochre, shaded 
with cobalt and lake ; a light wash of raw 
sienna and lake on the top, and of terre verte 
on the lower part. 
Moorland or Middle Distance — A wash of 
yellow ochre and raw sienna over the whole. 
For the markings of shadows and forms, raw 
sienna, cobalt, and lake ; after which a few 
glazings of raw sienna and lake, and of terre 
verte in the green shades between the several 
markings. 
Cottage Eoof and Poles — Cobalt, lake, and 
raw sienna ; sepia being added for the deep 
shadows and markings. 
Cottage Wall in Siiadoav — Sepia, lake, and 
cobalt. 
Peat — Brown madder for the lights, and brown 
madder and sepia for the shadows. 
Grass — Gamboge, burnt sienna, and indigo. 
Trees — Gamboge, burnt sienna, and indigo in 
some depth of colour. 
Shadow on Boad — Sepia, lake, and indigo ; a 
little Gamboge added for the stone wall. 
Shadows of Large Stones — Sepia, lake, and 
indigo, with a glazing of terre verte. 
Colour of the Road — Yellow ochre, a little 
lake, and sepia. 
Warm Stones — Y ellow ochre and lake. 
Cart — Sepia and yellow ochre, shaded with sepia, 
lake, and indigo. 
Figure — Lake, shaded with sepia. 
Horse— Sepia, lake, and indigo. 
Stones on the Cottage Wall — Modification of 
raw sienna, lake, cobalt, and sepia. 
A HANDFUL OF SAND. 
By W. B. Lord, Royal Artillery. 
TlHE mariner nearing the coasts of England 
X during the dark night and winter fogs, watches 
his charts anxiously, and hails with joy the appear- 
ance of “ sand and shells ” on the arming of the 
“ deep sea lead,” which, like a faithful diver, has 
plunged far down into the doubtful regions below, 
and brought back indisputable evidence of the due 
performance of its mission. To the explorer, tra- 
veller, and investigator of Nature’s secrets, “ Sand ” 
is a page — perchance a volume — in the w oriel’s his- 
tory. Every tiny rill and rivulet which pours its 
waters through ravine and valley, to lose itself at 
last in some passing river, brings with it, slowly 
but surely, grain by grain, specimens of the rocks 
and deposits over which its waters have for ages 
worn their way. Each winter flood and summer 
storm lends its aid to break down, disintegrate, .and 
drift away the detritus brought down by the ever- 
fretting, ever wearing, influence of running water. 
If you doubt as to the geological formation of dis- 
tant hills and inaccessible mountains, consult a 
handful of sand from the nearest brook flowing 
from them, and much light will lie thrown on the 
Subject by the investigation. To examine sand, it 
has been my custom, after washing and drying it, 
to lay a well-mixed portion, say of the size of a 
shilling, over a sheet of clean white paper; to flat- 
ten out the pile until the particles are evenly dis- 
tributed ; and then with my pocket lens to scan them 
ii. 
carefully. The boundless treasures so long buried 
in the wide valleys of California might have re- 
mained at rest and undiscovered to this day had 
not sand disclosed the golden secret, and thus it 
I was divulged. One Captain Sutter, an old soldier 
of the American republic, had settled in the valley 
of the Sacramento, laid out a farm, built a mill, 
and regularly established himself. It was found 
that the “race” constructed to carry off the water 
which had passed the wheel was not deep enough 
for its purpose. It was therefore decided that 
the whole water-power should be turned on, and 
allowed to rush through, and deepen it. The pent-up 
torrent not only did the duty it was called on to 
perform, but overflowed the banks, carrying turf, 
sticks, stones, and sand far over the meadows. 
As the water drained off, and the sun shone out, 
the white quartz particles glittered like a thousand 
diamonds, and a handful was gathered by one of 
the Captain’s people, when yellow grains as well as 
white were discovered, examined, and found to be 
gold. How the human tide flowed in endless 
throngs to the new El Dorado, and how splendid 
cities sprang into being where, a few months before, 
a herdsman’s fire and a lean wolfish-looking dog 
or two were the only signs of occupation, need not 
be dwelt on here, as they are matters of history. 
Hargraves, too, tempted by the golden prospects 
held out in the new lands, quitted Australia, and 
E 
