Value of Solitude 35 



the development of many a powerful personality is 

 the fact that its possessor was compelled by force of 

 circumstances while young to spend much time in 

 the company of his or her own thoughts. It is im- 

 possible to think intelligently while one is doing any 

 body-straining work; for example, wood sawing or 

 hay pitching. But there are many forms of occupa- 

 tion for boys and girls on the farm which permit of 

 comparative rest of the body. So the foundations 

 of many a worthy career have been laid in the silent 

 reflections of the boy spending the day alone in the 

 woods or on the prairies with his cattle and dog and 

 pony, or sitting on the seat of the riding plow. 



Likewise, the farmer's daughter, during the per- 

 formance of many simple, non-fatiguing tasks, re- 

 flects perforce upon the larger meanings of life and 

 makes out in mind many plans for the time when 

 she hopes to undertake the mastery of various trying 

 and interesting problems. Lack of this enforced 

 solitude and its attendant reflections lack of the 

 discovery of the joy of being at regular intervals alone 

 with the great soul of Nature and with one's inner 

 consciousness doubtless contributes in some meas- 

 ure to the undoing of city boys and girls. The con- 

 stant turmoil of the street, the excitement of the 

 ever changing scenes and situations, give an over- 

 indulgence to the senses, ripen the judgments 

 too early, and rob the character of those soberer 

 habits which later enable one to find good in the 



