122 EARLY SPRING IN MASSACHUSETTS. 
thought must live with and be inspired with 
the life of the body. The death-bed scenes 
even of the best and wisest afford but a sorry 
picture of our humanity. Some men endeavor 
to live a constrained life, to subject their whole 
lives to their will, as he who said he would 
give a sign, if he were conscious, after his head 
was cut off, but he gave no sign. Dwell as 
near as possible to the channel in which your 
life flows. A man may associate with such 
companions, he may pursue such employments, 
as will darken the day for him. Men choose 
darkness rather than light. 
P. M. Saw the first lark rise from the rail¬ 
road causeway and sail on quivering wing over 
the meadow to alight on a heap of dirt. 
Was that a mink we saw at the boiling 
spring ? The senecio was very forward there 
in the water, and it still scents my fingers. A 
very lasting odor it leaves.It is a rare 
lichen day. The usnea with its large fruit is 
very rich on the maples in the swamp, lux¬ 
uriating in this moist, overcast, melting day, 
but it is impossible to get it home in good con¬ 
dition. 
Looking behind the bark of a dead white 
pine I find plenty of gnats quite lively and 
ready to issue forth as soon as the sun comes 
out. The grubs there are sluggish, buried in 
