i INTRODUCTION 7 



ourselves free from those mean and petty cares 

 which interfere so much Avith calm and peace 

 of mind. It turns "every ordinary walk 

 into a morning or evening sacrifice," and 

 brightens life until it becomes almost like a 

 fairy tale. 



In the romances of the Middle Ages we read 

 of knights who loved, and were loved by, 

 Nature spirits, of Sir Launfal and the Fairy 

 Tryamour, who furnished him with many 

 good things, including a magic purse, in 

 which 



As oft as thou puttest thy hand therein 

 A mark of gold thou shalt iwinne, 



as well as protection from the main dangers 

 of life. Such times have passed away, but 

 better ones have come. It is not now merely 

 the few, who are so favoured. All those 

 who love Nature she loves in return, and 

 will richly reward, not perhaps with the 

 good things, as they are commonly called, 

 but with the best things, of this world ; not 

 with money and titles, horses and carriages, 

 but with bright and happy thoughts, content- 

 ment and peace of mind. 



