CHAPTER XXI 



NATURE AND LIFE 



Of all the subjects in this world, there is noth- 

 ing so great to which we can give our attention 

 as the world itself. Offspring of nature as we 

 are, surrounded on every hand by her wonderful 

 products and existences, it is no less than our 

 duty to give her our earliest attention, as a 

 powerful factor in the complete development of 

 our own or of any other human life. 



11 Nature never did betray 

 The heart that loved her ; 'tis her privilege, 

 Through all the years of this, our life, to leap 

 From joy to joy ; for she can so inform 

 The mind that is within us, so impress 

 With quietness and beauty, and so feed 

 With lofty thoughts, that neither evil tongues, 

 Rash judgments, nor the sneers of selfish men, 

 Nor greetings where no kindness is, nor all 

 The dreary intercourse of daily life, 

 Shall e'er prevail against us, or disturb 

 Our cheerful faith, that all which we behold 

 Is full of blessings." 



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