oe INTRODUCTION 7 
ourselves free from those mean and petty cares 
which interfere so much with calm and peace 
of mind. It turns “every ordinary walk 
into a morning or evening sacrifice,” and 
brightens life until it becomes almgst like a 
fairy tale. 
In the romances of the Middle Ages we read 
of knights who loved, and were loved by, 
Nature spirits, — of Sir Launfal and the Fairy 
Tryamour, who furnished him with many 
good things, including a magic purse, in 
which 
As oft as thou puttest thy hand therein 
A mark of gold thou shalt iwinne, 
as well as protection from the main dangers 
of life. Such times have passed away, but 
better ones have come. It is not now merely 
the few, who are so favoured. All those 
who love Nature she loves in return, and 
will richly reward, not perhaps with the 
good things, as they are commonly called, 
but with the best things, of this world; not 
with money and titles, horses and carriages, 
but with bright and happy thoughts, content- 
ment and peace of mind. 
