Stranica 43 [43]
OCR
REFLEXIONS IN SMOOTH WATER 21 obliquely, the reflexions may sometimes be slightly inclined, as will be explained later (page 43). But before passing to the consideration of rippled water, we may aptly conclude this division of the subject with a quotation from Ruskin, taken from his remarks on Turner's drawing of Scarborough in ‘The Harbours of England.” "In general, throughout nature, Reflection and Repetition are Jeaceful things; that is to say, the image of any object, seen in calm water, gives us an impression of quietness, not merely because we know the water must be quiet in order to be reflective; but because the fact of the repetition of this form is lulling to us in its monotony, and associated more or less with an idea of quiet succession, or reproduction, in events or things throughout nature:—that one day should be like another day, one town the image of another town, or one history the repetition of another history, being more or less results of quietness, while dissimilarity and non-succession are also, more or less, results of interference and disquietude. And thus, though an echo actually increases the quantity of sound heard, its repetition of the notes or syllables of sound gives an idea of calmness attainable in no other way; hence the feeling of calm given to a landscape by the notes of the cuckoo.” NOTE ON THE REFLEXION OF A RAINBOW. It is sometimes asked whether a rainbow can be reflected in still water. To this question we reply “yes” and “no.” The image of a rainbow can be seen plainly enough, but it
