"A portion of my own spirit seemed to pass into that little stream.  In its deep wailings and fretful sighs, I fancied myself lamenting for the land I had left for ever; and its restless and impetuous rushings against the stones which choked its passage were mournful types of my own mental struggles against the strange destiny which hemmed me in.  Through the day the stream moaned and travelled on, but, engaged in my novel and distasteful occupations, I heard it not; but whenever my winged thoughts flew homeward, then the voice of the brook spoke deeply and sadly to my heart, and my tears flowed unchecked to its plaintive and harmonious music."

~ Susanna Moodie (1803 - 1885) Roughing it in the Bush, 1852.  Richard Bentley of London, England.


Photo:  Normandale, Ontario.