A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am lone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot.

Yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuar I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream.

I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks and grow familiar with the countless.