WRITING POETRY AS A RECREATION 399 



seems to have a rather better chance of life, and there is a lunch at the 

 Pickerings' to-morrow. I shall go, to meet Prof. Young of Princeton. 



The Brooks House "tea" seemed more successful than the last, more peo- 

 ple and merrier. 



As the years sped on, in spite of remonstrances Mr. Shaler 

 kept up his activities to the full extent of his powers. In the 

 hours left over from his prescribed tasks, to be sure, he took a 

 share of recreation, as much, at least, as he wanted. Indeed, 

 it was only an imaginary line that divided his work from his 

 play. This consisted now, as always, in long walks, and visits, 

 sometimes ; concerts also, but the theatre rarely. His chiefest 

 delight was found in writing poetry. 



The return to this ideal realm, which he had so long forsaken, 

 was a happy inspiration. It gave a momentary pause to per- 

 formance; sweetened his life and opened up a retreat from 

 discouragements and vexations. Even during the "merger" 

 controversy, which stirred him profoundly, he was still able to 

 create his own Utopias. In his work-room in the third story, 

 away from interruption, he could throw himself at will into an- 

 other world. There his battle with dulness and the common- 

 place was over ; the irksome tasks of life, if done at all, were done 

 vicariously. There, too, he could conjure back lost loyalties and 

 virtues and all manner of nobleness; not that he was a com- 

 plainer of men or of the present times : in fact, he was rather 

 persuaded that the golden age lay not behind but before us. 

 In this shelter from the din and stir of competitive life, as 

 he said, he could consume his own smoke that is, get rid 

 of nervousness. As an aid to this process his long-stemmed 

 pipe was an invaluable resource ; also, at times, a few minutes' 

 sleep. Half an hour spent in this peaceful atmosphere was 

 usually sufficient to compose his mind and smooth out of his 

 face any lines of irritation. 



Not the least of his cares after 1902 was Mr. McKay's un- 

 happy physical condition. Besides the need for business con- 

 ferences with him, the old gentleman leaned upon Mr. Shaler in 



