36 Outlook to Nature 



beasts of the field. Much of our clothing serves 

 neither art nor utility. Nothing can be more 

 prohibitive of an interest in nature than a mil- 

 linery " hat," even though it be distinguished 

 for its floriculture, landscape gardening, and 

 natural history. 



Our estimate of weather is perhaps the best 

 criterion of our outlook on nature and the 

 world. The first fault that I would correct in 

 mankind is that of finding fault with the 

 weather. We should put the child right to- 

 ward the world in which he is to live. What 

 would you think of the mariner who goes to 

 sea only in fair weather ? What have not the 

 weather and the climate done for the steadiness 

 and virility of the people of New England ? 

 And is this influence working as strongly to- 

 day as in the times when we had learned less 

 how to escape the weather ? We must believe 

 in all good physical comfort, it contributes 

 to the amount of work that we can accomplish ; 

 but we have forgotten that it is possible to bear 

 an open storm with equanimity and comfort. 

 The person who has never been caught in rain 



