X PREFACE 



ourselves exists. Our country at its best, on an 

 early summer day, is the loveliest little home in all 

 the world. And we go out from this island home 

 of ours to every land. We have unrivalled oppor- 

 tunities, therefore, of seeing innumerable types of 

 natural objects. By observing Nature in so many 

 different aspects, and by comparing our impressions 

 vpith one another, we ought to understand Nature 

 better than any other race. And by entering more 

 readily into communion with her we, better than 

 others, should realise the Beauty she possesses. 



I am conscious of having myself made most 

 inadequate use of the splendid opportunities my 

 travels afforded me of seeing the Beauty of Nature. 

 So I am all the more anxious that those following 

 after me shoXild not, by like omission, commit the 

 same sin against themselves and against our country. 

 We owe it to ourselves and to mankind to give full 

 rein to our instinctive love of Natural Beauty, and 

 to train and refine every inclination and capacity we 

 have for appreciating it till we are able to see all 

 those finer glories of which we now discern only the 

 first faint glow. 



And if any other country excel us in apprecia- 

 tion, then it behoves us to brace ourselves up to 

 emulate and surpass that country, and learn how to 

 understand Nature better and see more Beauty. 

 For in love of Natural Beauty, and in capacity for 

 communicating that love, England ought to be pre- 

 eminent. She above every other country should 

 come nearest to the Heart of Nature. 



F. E. Y. 



June, 1921. 



