IMPRESSIONIST SKETCH 25 



of better or worse ; in the phrase of the biologists, this is 

 the time of variations. It may be, indeed, that the new- 

 ness is simply that what was of evil in the parents has 

 been forgiven in their children, which is cause for rejoicing ; 

 but sometimes it is that the little child be it human or 

 water-baby really leads the race, as was said long ago. 

 It may be, of course there's the rub that the promise 

 is never fulfilled, for the playful lamb which we all so much 

 admire grows into a very stolid sheep, (man has such a 

 way of making young things stupid) ; the very active- 

 minded chick becomes a most matter-of-fact hen ; the 

 "promising" young anthropoid becomes a careworn, 

 abruti, and rather cross-grained, elderly ape. Need we 

 point the moral ? The fact at once hopeful and tragic 

 is that the young life is often ahead of its race. If the 

 promise be fulfilled, then the world makes progress, and 

 that is Spring. 



But come, let us join in the mood of the season which 

 is joyous. Let us mix all our metaphors, and let us light 

 the Beltane fires (they are still always blazing at the proper 

 time in some parts of the North), and let us keep the 

 Floralia (they are still always kept in the South). For, 

 while biology is well, to enjoy the realities which it tries 

 to formulate is better ; and, as was said by one who knew 

 no fear of winter in his year 



" To make this earth our hermitage 

 A cheerful and a changeful page, 

 God's bright and intricate device 

 Of days and seasons doth suffice." 



