112 Outlook to Nature 



are the " attractions," all the gewgaws and 

 garish lights, and rackets of musical instruments, 

 and exhibitions of freaks, and the glorious signs, 

 and the appealing show, and the hosts of per- 

 sons who make it their business to entertain 

 those who cannot entertain themselves and to 

 fleece those who want to be fleeced, and all the 

 things to buy that nobody ever should want. 

 And then I marvel at the enormous waste of 

 human effort, and at the insincerity and indi- 

 rection ; and I wonder what might be the 

 state of civilization were half of this energy and 

 shrewd ingenuity to be applied to effort that 

 would make for usefulness. 



I am aware that all this display is but the 

 driftwood on a sea that is calm and unruffled 

 beneath the surface, and that a good part of its 

 purpose is to attract the visitor ; I know the 

 sweet and strong lives that are behind the 

 closed doors ; but the cheap and insincere 

 street life is a fact, nevertheless, and it is a 

 natural entertainment- product of the city. 



It is always a relief to get back to the unpre- 

 tentious music and entertainment of the country 



