14 'The Apocrypha 



The inquiry might be pursued further by asking 

 if the PubHc Library is to become a bacchanalian 

 headquarters. 



But Bacchus is too late for Myopians. They re- 

 nounced the faith years ago, and have embraced a 

 new one. Inspired by fresh air and hunting they 

 kneel at the altar of Diana. 



But in these days of broad views the exclusive 

 worship of Diana is narrow and sectarian. The 

 modern sportsman is not content with a sport lasting 

 but a short season ; he must be a devotee to several, 

 lasting through the year ; he must have a demi-god 

 which includes every form of exercise, — in fact, 

 something which in a larger sense represents his 

 ideals and fills his imagination. Therefore Diana is 

 now a saint ; and a god older than Homer — but, 

 comparatively speaking, new to America — has ap- 

 peared, whose temples are no longer slighted, but 

 are daily thronged with the devout. All good, ad- 

 vanced Myopians worship at this shrine, and when 

 spelt in large letters the name of their deity is Sport. 



