56 THE GUIDE TO NATURE 



The Uplift and Resources of an Inter- ture be said to have found the real con- 



est in Nature. nection with her, who is so complex. 



graduation essay by pearl agnes HiGE- A collector may or may not have es- 



Low, sound beach, Connecticut, at tabkshed a true and enduring friend- 



ship with Mother Nature. He may 



THE GREENWICH HIGH SCHOOL r { i -u c ' 



feel only the joy of possession on ac- 



By the use of the word "uplift" in count ,,'f his stuffed and labeled speci- 



nature I do not intend to tell of some mens, and not realize in the least de- 



marvelous method of commercial im- gree the silent but great companion- 



portance which will enable you sud- jhip with the outdoor world about 



. , , , , him. As well might we call every 



denly to become wealthy, nor, when I gtamp collector a postmaster because 



speak of the resources of nature, do I they both deal with postage stamps, 



advise everyone to go immediately to as to call every collector of natural 



farming, which appears to be the specimens a lover of nature, though 



popular mode of seeking nature. I there 1S , a possibility of being both, at 



...... ? one and the same time. When a busi- 



do not believe in advocating a general ness man buys a country estate and 



emigration of all sorts and conditions li ves there participating in exactly the 



of people to the country for an occu- same recreations as he would in the 



pation, since, in the first place, every- cit y- he is not livin g the real country 



one is not adapted by talent or edu- hfe h *} has m f el ? »?P°rted the city 



. , , into the country. Consequently he 



cation straightway to become a sue- cannot gain the proper benefit from 



cessful farmer, any more than every- his country home, unless he makes in 

 one can become at a moment's notice his life an appreciable change from his 

 a successful lawyer. In the second city life. This can be best effected by 

 place, civilization requires merchants, going directly to nature, 

 physicians, lumbermen, miners and There are many and widely differ- 

 scores of others, as well as farmers, ing ways of seeking nature. One 

 though it is often incorrectly asserted method will not be agreeable or right- 

 that the country is wholly dependent ly helpful to everyone, any more than 

 upon the agriculturist. However, to will a single religion appeal 

 return to the original point, I mean equally to each individual, be- 

 by the term "uplift" gained from na- cause of the great difference of 

 ture, a widening of the intellectual and environment according to different 

 spiritual horizon and a development classes and types of people One of 

 of the aesthetic taste by going to na- the ways to nature, most commonly 

 ture for refreshment and recreation. employed, is that of walking, espe- 

 The first essential point is to estab- cially on a country road or through 

 lish the true relation with nature her- the woods. Horseback riding is like- 

 self. To gain that true relation, which wise exhilarating and healthful. Row- 

 is one of love and sympathy, one does ing and swimming give exercise, 

 not have to be intimately acquainted which results in strength, in all parts 

 with all the natural sciences — although of the body. If you do not desire the 

 such knowledge is oftentimes valu- essentially physical activities, keep 

 able — because the views of a natural watch of the wind and weather, the 

 scientist are not necessarily those of a sky and stars, the woods, the fields, 

 nature lover. One might have a pro- the sea, in fact any part of the outdoor 

 found and systematized knowledge of world which especially attracts your 

 the laws of ornithology, botany or en- interest. An adult may well note and 

 tomology and yet not have a real sym- follow the example of children, who 

 pathy with birds, plants and insects, of all human beings are the freest 

 A person who searches for a frog that from vainglory and hypocrisy, as they 

 croaks English, or a rabbit that dances go through the woods enjoying the 

 the bunny hug, is as far from holding fresh country air and exercise, and 

 a true relationship with nature, as stopping ever and anon to wonder at 

 possible for he is looking for the ab- and inquire about each object which 

 normal and not the natural object, attracts their notice. This last char- 

 Neither can the person who is inter- acteristic — their wish for knowledge 

 ested in only one small phase of na- and freedom from the fear of betray- 



