THE “GENIUS LOCI.” 
45 
Dig, and you shall find. 
There lies the charm, the vitality of the genius locii 
The word “ genius ” conveys too great an idea of 
fixity, and that of “ fairy ” is more appropriate. Who 
shall describe the mystery of this profound hidden 
basin ? this simple and attractive delusion, which, 
while promising only dryness, faithfully stores up 
underneath the treasure of its waters ? 
An eminent Italian artist has given expression to it 
in the paintings which adorn the Hall of Henry II 
It is the Nemorosa, the Wood-Nymph, with hands full 
of wild-flowers, hiding beneath a rugged rock, but sub¬ 
dued and dreamy, and with eyes swimming tearfully. 
In the course of our labours, and especially on days 
when fell a fine soft rain, we frequently appreciated 
this sentiment. It prevailed around us like a concen¬ 
tration of nature. In the deep silence we could hear 
only our beating hearts, the pendulum of the clock, or 
the occasional cry of the swallow passing above our 
heads. 
Calmed, but not lulled asleep, with clearer brain 
and keener eye than before, we penetrated further into 
the shadowy world of the atom, to discover its actual 
nature; the light, and especially the love, which is 
the true legitimate sovereign of this lower world; the 
tongue, the eloquent voice, by which it appeals to the 
upper world. 
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