Page:Winter - from the Journal of Henry D. Thoreau.djvu/163

149 exhibit them. They give you one piece of nature at any rate, and that is themselves. The strong new soil speaks through them. I have just been reading somewhat in Wood's &quot;New England's Prospect.&quot; He speaks a good word for New England, indeed will come very near lying for her, and when he doubts the just ness of his praise, he brings it out not the less soundly; as who cares if it is not so, we love her not the less for all that. Certainly that generation stood nearer to nature, nearer to the facts than this, and hence their books have more life in them.

Jan. 9, 1858. Snows again. The snow is very moist, with large flakes. Looking toward Trillium wood, the nearer flakes appear to move quite swiftly, often making the impression of a continuous white line. They are also seen to move directly, and nearly horizontally. But the more distant flakes appear to loiter in the air, as if uncertain how they will approach the earth, or even to cross the course of the former, and are always seen as simple and distinct flakes. I think that this difference is simply owing to the fact that the former pass quickly over the field of view, while the latter are much longer in it.

Jan. 9, 1860. I hear that, a rich old farmer, who lives in a large house, with a