Impressions 



The bird in full song and in full view, we recog- 

 nize when as a chirping imp in the shadows it 

 only piqued our curiosity. We are never sure 

 of some small plants until we see them in 

 bloom, and the day of their flowering follows 

 that of being in leaf. We always need two 

 walks and often more to make sure of any fact. 

 We need to walk day after day to learn the pre- 

 ordained method of Nature and the earlier out- 

 ings must not be blanks to us when the climax 

 of the season is finally reached. 



We look for exertion to be rewarded and all 

 know that fortune earned is better appreciated 

 than wealth without effort. The best inheri- 

 tance is a desire to succeed. The silver spoon 

 that accompanies a birth may overweigh the 

 infant. The walk that is most successful is 

 that which better equips us for another like 

 undertaking. Walks should be a series of ex- 

 ertions, with a reward awaiting them at their 

 close. The fact takes hold when we face it, but 

 not always when we merely hear or read about 

 it. We may read all the natural histories ever 

 written, and then, going out of doors, continu- 

 ously be asking ourselves, What is this that I 

 see! 



25 



