Peripatetic Meditations 



graceful, as pitiless, it holds itself as no less 

 an honorable denizen of the earth. 



That toads are philosophical is evidenced by 

 their selecting homes and remaining therein 

 and not leading a vagabond existence. Ditfg- 

 enes in his tub was not more contented than are 

 toads in their habitations, from which they hop, 

 upon occasion, and being methodical when 

 abroad, they demonstrate their claim to com- 

 mon sense. 



I hear the toads now, though it is early in the 

 day, as they are often heard at night, when they 

 do not, I maintain, make night hideous. We, 

 not the toads, are out of tune, so far as Nature 

 is concerned, to think amiss when they are 

 ringing the praises of the darkened world. The 

 toad sees at night that to which we should not 

 be blind. The last glimmer of light faded from 

 the west and how much taller and more stately 

 is every tree, now that it is dimly outlined on 

 the blue-black sky. The twinkling stars seen 

 through the branches are the trees * fiery fruits. 

 Black trees, black leaves, and glowing fiery 

 fruit. This is something worth a long walk at 

 night. 



Making no mention of the tiresome owls, 

 157 



