96 Outlook to Nature 



sure, a tendency in American house-building 

 toward an outdoor feeling, but this usually does 

 not extend beyond the veranda, which is really 

 built for protection. The sedentary indoor life 

 has its sure effects, and we try to correct these 

 effects by means of drugs ; and the American 

 is known by his nostrums. 



A new and strong kind of nativeness is no 

 doubt developing in the cities ; but we also 

 need the kind of nativeness and homefulness 

 that develops in the country. I am always 

 conscious that there is no soil in the city, but 

 only dirt ; the ground must be covered until it 

 is blotted out. When we get away from the 

 soil we begin to get away from simplicity and 

 directness. 



We all perceive a growing tendency country- 

 ward, coming in response to a universal soul- 

 hunger that the strenuous and complex life 

 does not fully satisfy. Sooner or later, most 

 men come to feel as did the city schoolboy 

 who declared that some day he would live in 

 the real country and would build his house 

 out-of-doors. 



