Fresh Fields by John Burroughs

Name: Fresh Fields
Author: John Burroughs

The narrative revolves around a young man's journey to the countryside, where he seeks refuge from his mundane life and reconnects with nature. He becomes fascinated by the local wildlife and begins to observe their behavior, learning valuable lessons about resilience and adaptation. Through his experiences, he develops a deeper appreciation for the natural world and its rhythms.

By John Burroughs · First published 1869 · Genre: Nature Writing, Essays, Memoir · 18 chapters · 82,486 words

First lines

The first whiff we got of transatlantic nature was the peaty breath of the peasant chimneys of Ireland while we were yet many miles at sea. What a homelike, fireside smell it was! it seemed to make something long forgotten stir within one. One recognizes it as a characteristic Old World odor, it savors so of the soil and of a ripe and mellow antiquity. I know no other fuel that yields so agreeable a perfume as peat. Unless the Irishman in one has dwindled to a very small fraction, he will be pretty sure to dilate his nostrils and feel some dim awakening of memory on catching the scent of this ancestral fuel. The fat, unctuous peat, -- the pith and marrow of ages of vegetable growth, -- how typical it is of much that lies there before us in the elder world; of the slow ripenings and accumulations, of extinct life and forms, decayed civilizations, of ten thousand growths and achievements of the hand and soul of man, now reduced to their last modicum of fertilizing mould!

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Fresh Fields is listed on Textopian as an essay by John Burroughs, dated 1869 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Essay
Author: John Burroughs
Date: 1869 CE
Language: English
Genres: Nature Writing, Essays, Memoir, Philosophical Literature, Travel Writing
Length: 82,486 words
Structure: 18 chapters, 455 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Nature Writing — The book extensively explores natural landscapes and the author's observations of the environment.
Essays — It is composed of reflective essays that delve into personal experiences and philosophical musings.
Memoir — The narrative includes autobiographical elements, sharing the author's life experiences and insights.
Philosophical Literature — Themes of contemplation and the human relationship with nature reflect philosophical inquiries.