Thoreau writes in his journal:
There are meteorologists, but who keeps a record of the fairer sunsets P While men are recording the direction of the wind, they neglect to record the beauty of the sunset or the rainbow. The sun not yet set . . .
Walden imparts to the body of the bather a remarkably chalky-white appearance, whiter than natural, tinged with blue, which, combined with its magnifying anti distorting; influence, produces a monstrous and ogre-like effect, proving, nevertheless, the purity of the water . . .