My Boyhood and Youth 



about the wonders that used to be in it." So 

 long had the memory of my little inventions 

 survived. 



Although I was four years at the University, 

 I did not take the regular course of studies, 

 but instead picked out what I thought would 

 be most useful to me, particularly chemistry, 

 which opened a new world, and mathematics 

 and physics, a little Greek and Latin, botany 

 and geology. I was far from satisfied with what 

 I had learned, and should have stayed longer. 

 Anyhow I wandered away on a glorious botan- 

 ical and geological excursion, which has lasted 

 nearly fifty years and is not yet completed, 

 always happy and free, poor and rich, without 

 thought of a diploma or of making a name, 

 urged on and on through endless, inspiring, 

 Godful beauty. 



From the top of a hill on the north side of 

 Lake Mendota I gained a last wistful, lingering 

 view of the beautiful University grounds and 

 buildings where I had spent so many hungry 

 and happy and hopeful days. There with 

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