ARBOR DAY. 181 



each one perfect in shape, crowned with crimson flowers, 

 draped in moss from head to foot. The sun shone on 

 them ; the wind stirred the moss like silvery veils. 



"When he saw them he drew his breath and stopped 

 short. Then he went up and put his arms about the 

 trunk of one, and the tears rolled down his cheeks, and I 

 I loved him like a brother!" 



Between these men and the trader, who sees only lum- 

 ber in a tree, there is the same difference that there is 

 between the man who finds music only a senseless noise, 

 and him who hears in it messages of divine import to 

 his soul. 



Nature gives to us only that which we are able to 

 receive from her ; to this man crops of oats ; to that man 

 strength and repose. The boy or girl who would come 

 close to her must train not only eye and ear, but heart, to 

 comprehend and receive her language. 



JOAQUIN MILLER ON ARBOR DAY. 

 The following poem was read by him at the first festi- 

 val of tree planting, celebrated early in 1887, at Yerba 

 Buena, California. 



Against our golden orient dawns 



We lift a living light to-day, 

 That shall outshine the splendid bronze 



That lords and lights the lesser bay. 



