Preface 



As the traveller climbs upward the scene changes among 

 the barren rocks and frowning precipices, for here Nature 

 stands revealed in majestic mood, and the lines of the land- 

 scape are sketched out rugged and severe. Then comes the 

 sudden turn round the corner of some cliff, the o'ertopping 

 of some steep stone ledge, and behold ! before one, in a high 

 alpine meadow, lies a garden such as kings might envy. 

 But how describe the ecstasy of standing knee-deep in the 

 fragrance of a thousand flowers? After crossing the bare 

 bleak rocks it is like a triumphal entry into Paradise. Here 

 are Pink Garlics, Harebells swaying in wild waywardness, 

 Veronicas and Forget-me-nots looking up with wide-open 

 eyes, Heathers red, rose and white, amethyst Asters, 

 White Geraniums and Moccasin Flowers, all mingling with 

 the shining green leaves and waxen petals of the Rhododen- 

 drons and the snowy chalices of the Globe-flowers and 

 Anemones. 



It matters not at what hour one goes to the mountains, 

 whether in the amethyst dawn, when the golden gates of 

 sunrise fall ajar and the first faint rustle of the leaves stirs 

 the dreaming world to consciousness, dispersing mists and 

 dew; in the brilliant noontide, when life marches on with all 

 her banners unfurled, and every plant is budding and blow- 

 ing as the sap runs freely, and the sun's rays gild hill and 

 vale; or in the amber evening when purple shadows steal 

 with phantom feet from cliff to cliff, and down in the dusk 

 of the forest dewdrops spangle leaf and bloom, as God 

 lights the star-lamps of His high heaven and puts out the 

 day. 



Even when we listen to the rhythm of the rain all is beau- 

 tiful, for the flowers that greeted the dawn with opal hearts 

 wide-blown ; that at noontide were found with 



