38 NATURE IN A CITY YARD 



commonplaces struck him as nudities, and 

 if he approved our social fibs as coverings. 

 We wear only our hands and faces visible 

 now ; but commonly, when we expose the 

 mind, there are no reservations. And of 

 what avail are these things we say to each 

 other or assent to about weather and poli- 

 tics ? One look at the hills is worth the 

 talk of a multitude as to what the weather 

 is, because the weather is there, without 

 comment, and all weathers have their wel- 

 comes and their uses. Woods, plains, 

 seas, vary every hour : but how few of us 

 know it ; for, alas ! we have become afraid 

 of nature. The woods are full of bogies, 

 the sea of krakens, the fields of malaria. 

 Shut the windows, bar the doors, converse 

 on politics, and keep nature out. 



Content in the city is difficult. In youth 

 it is not commendable. But when the ob- 

 jects of life are gained, either in money 

 or place or occupation, when middle age 

 fixes us in our ways, comfort of mind is to 

 be desired. And what a rare thing is con- 

 tent satisfaction with the present ! We 

 live in the past or future, memory or hope, 



