Page:Summer - from the Journal of Henry D. Thoreau.djvu/285

Rh shore just beyond Sherman's bridge, within less than half a rod, edge to edge, with each a bream poised in it. In some cases the fish had just cleared away the mud or frog spittle, exposing the yellow sand or pebbles (sixteen to twenty-four inches in diameter).

July 1, 1854. To Cliffs. From the hill I perceive that the air is beautifully clear after the rain of yesterday, and not hot; fine grained. The landscape is fine as behind a glass, the horizon edge distinct. The distant vales toward the northwest mountains lie up open and clear and elysian, like so many Tempes. The shadows of trees are dark and distinct. On the river I see the two broad borders of pads reflecting the light, the dividing line between them and the water, their irregular edge, perfectly distinct. The clouds are separate glowing masses or blocks floating in the sky, not threatening rain. I see from this hill their great shadows pass slowly here and there over the top of the green forest.

July 1, 1859. To 2d Division Brook. White water ranunculus in fresh bloom, at least a week, in the shade of the bank, a clear day. Its leaves and stems waving in the brook are interesting, much cut and green.

July 2, 1840. I am not taken up, like Moses, upon a mountain, to learn the law, but lifted up