Coming of 



thinking, approach the realities one can see daily 

 a thousand-fold in garden, wood, and stream; 

 and it is for this reason that I always prefer life- 

 like pictures of figures, in which phases of char- 

 acter, beauty, emotion, and passion may more 

 easily be, and sometimes are, transcended. 



I am aware the expression of such views may 

 be assailed from many quarters ; but my tastes are 

 unorthodox and I do not even play ping-pong or 

 seek pleasure in shooting birds. 



After all, beauty is a thing that is felt more by 

 those " qui se savourent en silence," than by those 

 who break out into facile ecstasy and gush. And 

 beauty is without doubt only really appreciated 

 where it is deeply felt and penetrates the whole 

 being. The mere seeing of beauty as compared 

 with the deep sensation of silent and expression- 

 less emotion it creates, is rather like comparing 

 the practical view of one person, that the sky 

 looked as if it had " had a mustard plaster on it " 

 and the sea "like mutton gravy getting cold," 

 with the speechless rapture pervading the inmost 

 senses of another in keen appreciation of a glori- 

 ous sunset reflected upon the waters. 

 105 



