ADDRESSES OF MAJOR LACEY 79 



told that there was a God she signaled her answer, "I 

 have known it for a long time, but I did not know what 

 His name was." 



That you have taken up for consideration the great 

 subject of forestry shows the progressive and useful pur- 

 poses of your admirable organization. When the women 

 of America turn their attention to any subject or object 

 and manifest an earnest desire for its accomplishment 

 success is assured. 



Forestry has found some difficulty in attracting atten- 

 tion because of the assumption that the subject is purely 

 one of sentiment. It is true that sentiment does attach 

 to the preservation of our forests. But the subject is in 

 the highest degree one of practical utility. It is com- 

 monly true that there is an aesthetic side to all practical 

 and useful subjects. 



The bloom of health on the cheek is lovely, but it is evi- 

 dence of the useful as well as the beautiful. 



If there had been only the sentimental and poetic side 

 of the question it would still have been worthy of our 

 earnest consideration. But in forestry there is beauty 

 and utility combined. 



The poet and the painter may rejoice in the contempla- 

 tion of the woods. The young may revel in the inspira- 

 tion of its protecting shade. But the farmer, the miller, 

 the boatman, and the lumberman may now combine to 

 preserve as well as to enjoy the beneficial uses of this 

 great element of our national wealth. 



An old man will plant a tree that it may shelter and 

 give comfort to his posterity. 



Shakespeare died at fifty-two, and never took the pains 

 to collect and prepare a complete edition of his immortal 

 works for the benefit of mankind. But he planted his 

 beautiful mulberry tree to gladden the hearts of those 

 who should come after him. Mankind has not forgiven 



