In Defence of Desolation. 



171 



be as aimlessly grouped as my neighbor's wood- 

 pile ; but it is not so. There is no lack of pur- 

 pose, no neglect on Nature's part, and nothing 

 of weed or bush or sapling that has not a 

 deeper significance than one is likely to fathom. 

 To speak of desolation because green leaves 



are lacking is the arrogant speech of ignorance. 

 The truth is, without regard to evergreen trees, 

 the absence of green leaves is comparative, not 

 absolute. I have not yet, in forty years' wan- 

 derings, been unable to find at least one fresh, 

 living leaf in the course of a morning's ramble. 



