144 FROM A NEW ENGLAND HILLSIDE. 



various forces which have controlled human 

 development, an infinite variety of forces, 

 they have worked out so. We may not 

 feel wholly satisfied with the result. We 

 may think that the burdens are borne un 

 equally by different classes and individuals. 

 We may try to modify the existing order. 

 But there is no use in &quot; getting mad &quot; about 

 it ; that will not help matters. The pope s 

 bull against the comet was of little service. 

 Canute did not stop the incoming of the 

 tide. The vis inert ice is a mighty power, 

 and you may as well take it into account. 

 Keep your head level. See what is possible, 

 and do that. Do not allo\t yourself to be 

 come a scold, and on the other hand do not 

 permit yourself to be merely as a cork float 

 ing upon the top of the wave. Find out if 

 you can in which way the permanent chan 

 nels lie, whither the current must ultimately 

 run, toward what point the eternal trade 

 winds blow ; head your bark thitherward, 

 and pull with all the might that is in you. 



But I am afraid that we did not think 

 of all these things as we strolled along that 

 afternoon. It was warm, but fortunately 

 a mantle of cloud covered us with a grate 

 ful shade, and when we entered the pine 

 wood we were flooded with the spicy 



