Olalla

[serhanbener]

' Above all, I was taken with a trick he had of unweariedly repeating the same note at little intervals; it was not so monotonous as you would think, or, at least, not disagreeable; and it seemed to breathe a wonderful contentment with what is, such as we love to fancy in the attitude of trees, or the quiescence of a pool.

What are the meanings of "in the attitude of trees" and "with what is"?

Do they mean "at the sight of the trees" and "whatever it is"?

[Whifflingpin]

"a wonderful contentment with what is" - emphasis on "is" - wonderfully contented with all that exists.

"the attitude of trees" - the way in which trees relate to "what is" -

The writer is saying that the birdsong and trees and quiet pools express a feeling of contentment. (Note - the writer is saying that it is the natural things that appear to have the contentment, not that we feel the contentment when we contemplate the natural things. If I remember correctly, this is an example of "pathetic fallacy" - ascribing human feelings to things that do not really have feelings of their own.)

[serhanbener]

Many Thanks for your help.
According to another friend "with what is " means "with the state of things".But I couldn't manage to find a definition.

[serhanbener]

I also have a translation of the book and this sentence is translated as you have stated.