THE PATH OF VISION
VII
A FOOTNOTE OF NATURE
THROUGH her own medium, Nature's
appeal is not always adequate. Her
language is not understood alike by the
woodman and the poet. Her secret is often
hidden under her articulate charm; and she
unveils only to the elect of the soul and
mind. That is why we often get more of
her through the medium of the interpreter,
who pursues his task with the patience and
faithfulness of a devotee. But even these
translations, whether they be literal or
poetic, have a varying degree of merit
and interest. John Burroughs, for instance,
is an excellent guide; but Thoreau,
who knows as well the winding paths, the
forest trails, the secret nooks and hidden
mysteries, can also entertain us with a
song. Even in the idealization of Nature,
we have such a variety as ranges from the
mirage-like glamor of Turner to the rhythmic
delicacies of Corot to the apocalyptic
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