Page:The first and last journeys of Thoreau - lately discovered among his unpublished journals and manuscripts.djvu/105

 our work makes no rubbish or dirt. How much gracefulness we learn from the ripples and curves of running water, and the form and motions of trees on the shore! And the sailor derives some suppleness from his element, even through the planks of his ship.

We passed in broad daylight the scene of our night's encampment at Coos Falls, and at length pitched our tent on the west bank in the northern part of Merrimac, opposite to the large island on which we had spent our noon in our way up the river.

When we looked out from under our tent this evening the trees were seen dimly through the mist like spectres, and a cool dew hung upon the grass, which seemed to rejoice in the night. In the damp air we seemed to imbibe a solid fragrance.

Nature is a greater and more perfect art. When the overhanging pine drops into the water; by the action of the sun, and the wind rubbing it against the shore, its boughs are worn white and smooth, and take fantastic forms as if turned by a lathe. She has perfected herself by an eternity of practice. [57]