Stranica 43 [43]
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, through¬
out 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 suc¬
cession, or reproduction, in events or things through¬
out 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 inter¬
ference 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