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complicated。
If we knew all the laws of Nature； we should need only one fact；
or the description of one actual phenomenon； to infer all the
particular results at that point。 Now we know only a few laws； and
our result is vitiated； not； of course； by any confusion or
irregularity in Nature； but by our ignorance of essential elements
in the calculation。 Our notions of law and harmony are commonly
confined to those instances which we detect； but the harmony which
results from a far greater number of seemingly conflicting； but
really concurring； laws； which we have not detected； is still more
wonderful。 The particular laws are as our points of view； as； to
the traveller； a mountain outline varies with every step； and it has
an infinite number of profiles； though absolutely but one form。
Even when cleft or bored through it is not comprehended in its
entireness。
What I have observed of the pond is no less true in ethics。 It
is the law of average。 Such a rule of the two diameters not only
guides us toward the sun in the system and the heart in man； but
draws lines through the length and breadth of the aggregate of a
man's particular daily behaviors and waves of life into his coves
and inlets； and where they intersect will be the height or depth of
his character。 Perhaps we need only to know how his shores trend
and his adjacent country or circumstances； to infer his depth and
concealed bottom。 If he is surrounded by mountainous circumstances；
an Achillean shore； whose peaks overshadow and are reflected in his
bosom； they suggest a corresponding depth in him。 But a low and
smooth shore proves him shallow on that side。 In our bodies； a bold
projecting brow falls off to and indicates a corresponding depth of
thought。 Also there is a bar across the entrance of our every cove；
or particular inclination； each is our harbor for a season； in which
we are detained and partially land…locked。 These inclinations are
not whimsical usually； but their form； size； and direction are
determined by the promontories of the shore； the ancient axes of
elevation。 When this bar is gradually increased by storms； tides；
or currents； or there is a subsidence of the waters； so that it
reaches to the surface； that which was at first but an inclination
in the shore in which a thought was harbored becomes an individual
lake； cut off from the ocean； wherein the thought secures its own
conditions changes； perhaps； from salt to fresh； becomes a sweet
sea； dead sea； or a marsh。 At the advent of each individual into
this life； may we not suppose that such a bar has risen to the
surface somewhere？ It is true； we are such poor navigators that our
thoughts； for the most part； stand off and on upon a harborless
coast； are conversant only with the bights of the bays of poesy； or
steer for the public ports of entry； and go into the dry docks of
science； where they merely refit for this world； and no natural
currents concur to individualize them。
As for the inlet or outlet of Walden； I have not discovered any
but rain and snow and evaporation； though perhaps； with a
thermometer and a line； such places may be found； for where the
water flows into the pond it will probably be coldest in summer and
warmest in winter。 When the ice…men were at work here in '46…7； the
cakes sent to the shore were one day rejected by those who were
stacking them up there； not being thick enough to lie side by side
with the rest； and the cutters thus discovered that the ice over a
small space was two or three inches thinner than elsewhere； which
made them think that there was an inlet there。 They also showed me
in another place what they thought was a 〃leach…hole；〃 through which
the pond leaked out under a hill into a neighboring meadow； pushing
me out on a cake of ice to see it。 It was a small cavity under ten
feet of water； but I think that I can warrant the pond not to need
soldering till they find a worse leak than that。 One has suggested；
that if such a 〃leach…hole〃 should be found； its connection with the
meadow； if any existed； might be proved by conveying some； colored
powder or sawdust to the mouth of the hole； and then putting a
strainer over the spring in the meadow； which would catch some of
the particles carried through by the current。
While I was surveying； the ice； which was sixteen inches thick；
undulated under a slight wind like water。 It is well known that a
level cannot be used on ice。 At one rod from the shore its greatest
fluctuation； when observed by means of a level on land directed
toward a graduated staff on the ice； was three quarters of an inch；
though the ice appeared firmly attached to the shore。 It was
probably greater in the middle。 Who knows but if our instruments
were delicate enough we might detect an undulation in the crust of
the earth？ When two legs of my level were on the shore and the
third on the ice； and the sights were directed over the latter； a
rise or fall of the ice of an almost infinitesimal amount made a
difference of several feet on a tree across the pond。 When I began
to cut holes for sounding there were three or four inches of water
on the ice under a deep snow which had sunk it thus far； but the
water began immediately to run into these holes； and continued to
run for two days in deep streams； which wore away the ice on every
side； and contributed essentially； if not mainly； to dry the surface
of the pond； for； as the water ran in； it raised and floated the
ice。 This was somewhat like cutting a hole in the bottom of a ship
to let the water out。 When such holes freeze； and a rain succeeds；
and finally a new freezing forms a fresh smooth ice over all； it is
beautifully mottled internally by dark figures； shaped somewhat like
a spider's web； what you may call ice rosettes； produced by the
channels worn by the water flowing from all sides to a centre。
Sometimes； also； when the ice was covered with shallow puddles； I
saw a double shadow of myself； one standing on the head of the
other； one on the ice； the other on the trees or hillside。
While yet it is cold January； and snow and ice are thick and
solid； the prudent landlord comes from the village to get ice to
cool his summer drink； impressively； even pathetically； wise； to
foresee the heat and thirst of July now in January wearing a
thick coat and mittens！ when so many things are not provided for。
It may be that he lays up no treasures in this world which will cool
his summer drink in the next。 He cuts and saws the solid pond；
unroofs the house of fishes； and carts off their very element and
air； held fast by chains and stakes like corded wood； through the
favoring winter air； to wintry cellars； to underlie the summer
there。 It looks like solidified azure； as； far off； it is drawn
through the streets。 These ice…cutters are a merry race； full of
jest and sport； and when I went among them they were wont to invite
me to saw pit…fashion with th