26 FLOWER-FIELDS OF ALPINE SWITZERLAND 



restraint which defies what is the utmost prodigahty 

 of colour ; and, much as we love the divinity of 

 things in the plains, the divinity of those of high 

 altitudes must take a foremost position in our 

 esteem and joy. 



Mr. A. F. Mummery has a fine passage touching 

 this subject — a passage that may well be quoted 

 here, for it sums up in admirable fashion all that 

 we ourselves are feeling. " Every step," he says, 

 " is health, fun, and frolic. The troubles and cares 

 of life, together with the essential vulgarity of a 

 plutocratic society, are left far below — foul mias- 

 mas that cling to the lowest bottoms of reeking 

 valleys. Above, in the clear air and searching 

 sunlight, we are afoot with the quiet gods, and 

 men can know each other and themselves for 

 what they are." " The quiet gods " — yes, indeed ! 

 Here, if anywhere, in May and June, is quietness ; 

 here at this season these hosts of lovely flowers 

 are indeed " born to blush unseen " and, in Man's 

 arrogant phrase, to " waste their sweetness on 

 the desert air." 



But what nonsense it is, this assumption that 

 the flowers are wasted if not seen by us ! It is 

 not for that reason we should be here: it is not 

 because the flowers would benefit one iota by 



