2o5 THE GUIDE TO NATURE 



even greater that of birds, general na- I feel in a similar way toward spell- 



ture is more comprehensive and as im- ing. I want the natural growth of the 



portant. If this magazine had two English language as it has come to us 



hundred pages in one issue, we could from our forebears^ I admit that some 



easily fill them and hold the reader's words ^ spelled in a rather curious 



v. • , -i A r way. Ihey demand quite a lot of la- 



attention to nature in general. We . J , .,/ ,■ ■. \, ,, • , • 



... Al , , * bor, but the diversity thus obtained is 



should even then not feel as at present kt ' u j ^ that iders> 



we do not feel any need for reformed webg meshing the grasses up to the 



spelling. sidewalk do not give the finished, pol- 

 Some of our best friends, those j s hed appearance of a lawn mowed 

 whom we hold in high esteem, are well- every day, but somehow I like the spi- 

 meaning in their interest in that kind ders and do not object to the webs. I 

 of spelling, and in their efforts to in- like the irregular mountain peaks, the 

 duce us to adopt it. The reasons al- \^ cr ooked rail fences here and there 

 ready given are the principal and amp- an( j now anc j t h en a dilapidated stone 

 ly sufficient ones to show that we shall wa n, These appeal to me in a more 

 still continue to plod along in the ways touching way than a wall of perfect 

 of The Century Dictionary and Web- u nes j n smooth white concrete. I 

 ster's, except when proof reader or the like the irregularity of mountain peaks, 

 printer makes "a slip." and I love a meandering brook more 

 If I may be permitted to sit down in than the farmer's geometrical ditch. I 

 a quiet way by the great solid rock of like individuality of opinion. There are 

 personal reasons, as mentioned in the few things more charming than the en- 

 foregoing, for a personal word with thusiastic remarks of some of my 

 the reader, I will state that I am not friends that tell us of the beauties of 

 in favor of the reformed spelling. No- reformed (?) spelling. I like a world 

 body cares much for a personal opin- of differences. I do not want every- 

 ion, but I trust that mine will be re- body to agree with me, and I ask for 

 spected as I respect that of my well- myself the privilege of not agreeing 

 meaning friends. I am a naturalist with them. It is delightful to meet 

 and sincere lover of the wild, the pic- varying types of people. It is pleasing 

 turesque and the original in nature. I to talk with even the uncultured. Only 

 like the things that have grown out a few days ago a colored man told me 

 by themselves; I want nature to go of his experiences in digging, how he 

 forward untrammeled. I have brought found two trees grown together so that 

 down upon my head the unfavorable the stumps were practically one stump, 

 criticism of some of my best and thrift- He told it in simple language and he 

 iest friends that have visited ArcAdiA, repeated the story three or four times, 

 because we there do not use a lawn His eyes glistened with enthusiasm 

 mower. I want the wild grasses, yes, and his voice showed that he meant 

 no harm if even now and then a weed, every word he said. That was ad- 

 to go clear up to the travelled walk. I mirable ; that was genuine, 

 want a real ArcAdiA of all nature, I have listened to the well-balanced, 

 where things may be untrammeled and ponderous, rotund sentences of the elo- 

 do as they please; where the spiders and quent orator and I like them too. I 

 the insects may revel in an accessible enjoy my letters from the learned pro- 

 wilderness. I want a home for the fessors in the universities, but in all 

 moles and the white-footed mice, for this world can there be anything more 

 the wasps, and the bumblebees, for the charming than now and then a letter 

 centipedes and the other "thousand from a child or from some unlearned 

 leggers." These are not all cut and person with about half the words mis- 

 carved to one pattern, and ArcAdiA is spelled (but not reformed), and every 

 not and never will be a smoothly first personal pronoun a small I? I do 

 mown lawn Not everybody appre- not want all the people to agree with 

 ciates and values this point of view, me ; I do not want to see everybody 

 and I respect the sentiments of those cast in the same mold ; I do not want 

 who do not, but politely and firmly re- to see all our English words like rows 

 ject them. of pins on a paper. 



