204 A GARDEN DIARY 



dull brain wakes, and the deaf ear hears. A 

 new perception of the unperceived relationship 

 of things ; a new perception of the invisible 

 splendours lying unnoticed around us, becomes 

 for the moment almost startlingly visible. Such 

 hours are the only really countable ones, the 

 chief solace of existence, the one clear reason, 

 one is tempted to say, of our poor encumbered, 

 stunted little lives. For their sakes, if for no 

 other reason, it were well worth the trouble of 

 being born, and of all the aches and ills that 

 belong to that very singular estate ; worth our 

 meeting gallantly, if possible merrily, the thou- 

 sand petty pinpricks, the slings and arrows of 

 outrageous fortune, the occasional alienation of 

 those one loves best, nay if it must be so 

 even the fell assaults of Giant Despair and all 

 his abominable brood. 



For the suggestiveness of what lies about us 

 is no mere fancy, but is absolutely real ; real as 

 the light upon yonder tree - tops ; real as the 

 sorrow in our hearts ; real as the love that makes 

 all things endurable ; real as the death which 

 puts an end to pain. At this very moment, now 

 passing over my head, there is lying about me 

 close to my eyes, could I but discern it the 

 materials alike of the loftiest poetry, and of the 

 most riddle - solving science. Disregarded and 

 unheeded there they lie, ready alike for the 

 greatest singer in his happiest mood, for the 



