1851.] AJIERICAN NOTE-BOOKS. 407

decayed trunk of a tree, — are well worth looking at,
such a variety and such enjoyment they have of their
new growth. Amid these fresh creations, we see others
that have already run their course, and have done with

warmth and sunshine, — the hoary periwigs, I mean,

of dandelions gone to seed.

August 7th. — Fourier states that, in the progress
of the world, the ocean is to lose its saltness, and ac-
quire the taste of a peculiarly flavored lemonade.

October 13th. — How pleasant it is to see a human
countenance which cannot be insincere, — in reference
to baby’s smile.

The best of us being unfit to die, what an inexpres-
sible absurdity to put the worst to death!

“ Is that a burden of sunshine on Apollo’s back ? ”

asked one of the children, —of the chlamys on our
Apollo Belvedere.

October 21st ——Going to the village yesterday af-
ternoon, I saw the face of a beautiful woman, gazing
at me from a cloud. It was the full face, not the bust.
It had a sort of mantle on the head, and a pleasant
expression of countenance. The vision lasted while I
took a few steps, and then vanished. I never before
saw nearly so distinct a cloud-picture, or rather sculp-
ture ; for it came out in alto-rilievo on the body of the
cloud.

October 27th. — The ground this morning is white
with a thin covering of snow. The foliage has still