The blue of the depths and distances -- clouds, mountains, and shadows -- was such that the perception entered into our very souls. How shall I describe the colour? It was not mazarine, because there was no blackness in it ; it was not sunlit atmosphere, because there was no white brightness in it ; and yet there was a sort of hidden, beaming brilliancy,

THE HUDSON.

that completely absorbed our eyes and hearts. It was not the blue of water, because it was not liquid or crystal-like ; it was something as the calm,

soft, lustre of a steady blue eye And how various were the forms

and motions of the vapour ! Hills, mountains, domes, pyramids, wreaths and sprays of mist arose, mounted, hung, fell, curled, and almost leaped before us, white with their own spotlessness, but not bright with the sun's

rays, for the luminary was still obscured We looked down to

behold what we might discover. A breath of heaven cleared the mist

VIEW FROM SOI'JII MOUNTAIN.

from below, -- softly at first, but gradually more decisive. Larger and darker became a spot in the magic depths, when, lo ! as in a vision, fields, trees, fences, and the habitations of men were revealed before our eyes. For the first time something real and refined lay before us, far down in that wonderful gulf. Far beneath heaven and us slept a speck of creation, unlighted by the evening rays that touched us, and colourless in the twilight obscurity. Intently we watched the magic glass, but -- did we breathe upon its surface ? -- a mist fell before us, and we looked up as if awakened from a dream."