266 FIELD AND HEDGEROW. 



the individual heart. The world at large continues un- 

 touched and indifferent — first because its common sense 

 is not convinced, and secondly because its secret aspira- 

 tions are in no degree satisfied. So that it is not alto- 

 gether the world's fault if it is stolid. Everything has 

 been tried and found wanting. Men rushed in crowds to 

 the gold-diggings of California, to the Australian ' finds ;' 

 and in like manner, if any real spiritual or ideal good 

 were proffered, crowds would rush to participate in it. 

 Nothing yet has been given but empty words, and these 

 so-called ' goods ' have proved as tasteless, and as much 

 Dead Sea apples, as the apples of vice ; perhaps even 

 more bitter than the regrets of vice. Though I cannot 

 name the ideal good, it seems to me that it will be in 

 some way closely associated with the ideal beauty of 

 nature. 



