The Eambles of an Idler 



if we are unprepared; tempests and tornadoes 

 are not children's playthings, but they have 

 their points of interest to a healthy man. Na- 

 ture is something more than " sweet sixteen/' 

 and man should be above forever dangling 

 about this pretty but not thought-stimulating 

 phase of creation. 



There is no lack of the Edenic in the world, 

 and the flaming sword that guarded sacred 

 places has long been sheathed ; but there is lack 

 of ability to discover them. Thorns and this- 

 tles are as easily handled as gossamer or feath- 

 ers if we have acquired the art, and it is not 

 the fault of thistles or thorns if we remain ig- 

 norant. We are forever protesting against the 

 consequences of our own ignorance, but it would 

 be well to remember that thorns and thistles 

 have been longer on -the earth than man, as the 

 rocks testify; and to assert that their purpose 

 is to render our lives miserable is the climax 

 of silliness. I do not know why the truth should 

 be forever suppressed and our vision distorted 

 by the whims of ignorance. 



That is a perfect day when we can meet it on 

 equal terms, and that man's condition ap- 

 proaches to ideal health and strength when the 



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