t so far from the river's brink, that it cannot
be grasped except at the hazard of plunging in. But thanks be to the
beautiful flower for growing at any rate. It is a marvel whence it
derives its loveliness and perfume, sprouting as it does from the black
mud over which the river sleeps, and from which the yellow lily likewise
draws its unclean life and noisome odor. So it is with many people in
this world: the same soil and circumstances may produce the good and
beautiful, and the wicked and ugly. Some have the faculty of
assimilating to themselves only what is evil, and so they become as
noisome as the yellow water-lily. Some assimilate none but good
influences, and their emblem is the fragrant and spotless pond-lily,
whose very breath is a blessing to all the region round about.... Among
the productions of the river's margin, I must not forget the
pickerel-weed, which grows just on the edge of the water, and shoots up
a long stalk crowned with a blue spire, from among large green leaves.
Both the flower and the leaves look well in a vase with pond-lilies, and
relieve the unvaried whiteness of the latter; and, being all alike
children of the waters, they are perfectly in keeping with one
another....

I bathe once, and often twice, a day in our river; but one dip into the
salt sea would be worth more than a whole week's soaking in such a
lifeless tide. I have read of a river somewhere (whether it be in
classic regions or among our Western Indians I know not) which seemed to
dissolve and steal away the vigor of those who bathed in it. Perhaps
our stream will be found to have this property. Its water, however, is
pleasant in its immediate effect, being as soft as milk, and always
warmer than the air. Its hue has a slight tinge of gold, and my limbs,
when I behold them through its medium, look tawny. I am not aware that
the inhabitants of Concord resemble their native river in any of their
moral characteristics. Their forefathers, certainly, seem to have had
the energy and impetus of a mountain torrent, rather than the torpor of
this listless stream,--as it was proved by the blood with which they
stained their river of Peace. It is said there are plenty of fish in it;
but my most important captures hitherto have been a mud-turtle and an
enormous eel. The former made his escape to his native element,--the
latter we ate; and truly he had the taste of the whole river in his
flesh, with a very prominent flavor of mud. On the