implicity. I
am therefore half convinced that I could not live very comfortably exiled
from the countries where mankind are so much further advanced in
knowledge, imperfect as it is, and unsatisfactory to the thinking mind.
Even now I begin to long to hear what you are doing in England and
France. My thoughts fly from this wilderness to the polished circles of
the world, till recollecting its vices and follies, I bury myself in the
woods, but find it necessary to emerge again, that I may not lose sight
of the wisdom and virtue which exalts my nature.

What a long time it requires to know ourselves; and yet almost every one
has more of this knowledge than he is willing to own, even to himself. I
cannot immediately determine whether I ought to rejoice at having turned
over in this solitude a new page in the history of my own heart, though I
may venture to assure you that a further acquaintance with mankind only
tends to increase my respect for your judgment and esteem for your
character. Farewell!

LETTER X.

I have once more, my friend, taken flight, for I left Tonsberg yesterday,
but with an intention of returning in my way back to Sweden.

The road to Laurvig is very fine, and the country the best cultivated in
Norway. I never before admired the beech tree, and when I met stragglers
here they pleased me still less. Long and lank, they would have forced
me to allow that the line of beauty requires some curves, if the stately
pine, standing near, erect, throwing her vast arms around, had not looked
beautiful in opposition to such narrow rules.

In these respects my very reason obliges me to permit my feelings to be
my criterion. Whatever excites emotion has charms for me, though I
insist that the cultivation of the mind by warming, nay, almost creating
the imagination, produces taste and an immense variety of sensations and
emotions, partaking of the exquisite pleasure inspired by beauty and
sublimity. As I know of no end to them, the word infinite, so often
misapplied, might on this occasion be introduced with something like
propriety.

But I have rambled away again. I intended to have remarked to you the
effect produced by a grove of towering beech, the airy lightness of their
foliage admitting a degree of sunshine, which, giving a transparency to
the leaves, exhibited an appearance of freshness and elegance that I had
never before remarked. I thought of descriptions of Italian scenery. But
th