“It has not been in vain: the good, the enlightened of all ages and nations have found pleasure and consolation in the beauty of the rural earth.”

—  Thomas Cole

Essay on American Scenery in American Monthly Magazine (January 1836)
Context: It has not been in vain: the good, the enlightened of all ages and nations have found pleasure and consolation in the beauty of the rural earth. Prophets of old retired into the solitudes of nature to wait the inspiration of heaven. It was upon Mount Horeb that Elijah experienced the mighty wind, the earthquake, and the fire; and, heard the small still voice. That voice is yet heard among the mountains!

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American artist 1801–1848

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