THE JULY FIELDS 131 



ness, schooling is schooling, fixed holidays are fixed 

 holidays. But without doubt there are many 

 who could be more timely, if they chose — many 

 who in June are crowding at Montreux, or Geneva, 

 or Lucerne, thinking it too early for the moun- 

 tains. For there are many who are persuaded that 

 spring is a dangerous period in the Alps. They 

 will tell you in all seriousness, as they have told 

 me, that it is in spring in the Alps that the 

 microbes re-awaken after their winter's sleep, and 

 that, therefore, it is better to be in the towns ; in 

 the towns, mark you, where the microbes, more 

 monstrous and numerous, rarely if ever, slumber 

 — or, if they do so, it is with one eye open I 



Then there are those who, because they know 

 nothing about flowers, are convinced that the Alps 

 for them would be a place of ennui in the spring 

 when high excursions are not yet possible. But 

 what a mistake it is to imagine we must be botan- 

 ists or gardeners in order to feel a full joy in these 

 fields ! No particular knowledge is required to 

 appreciate them ; there is no peremptory need to 

 know by name a Geranium from an Orchid, a 

 Pansy from a Cauliflower. Indeed, I am not at all 

 sure but that the " plain man " or woman does not 

 really enjoy them more than does the plant- 



