84 THE SUM IMPRESSION 



but is continually being drawn into the centre. She 

 wants to let herself go, but has to keep herself in. 

 And all this is to the good. For the necessity 

 for concentration only serves to strengthen and 

 refine her aspiration. And the net result is higher 

 and higher perfection. She cannot rise any higher 

 in a mountain, so she rises in a higher form in a 

 tree. She cannot rise any higher in a tree, so she 

 rises in higher form in an orchid. She cannot 

 rise any higher in an orchid, so she rises in higher 

 form in a man. She cannot rise any higher in man 

 as an intelligent animal, so she rises in higher 

 form in man as a spiritual being, capable of spiritual 

 appreciation and of spiritual communion with her. 



The gravitation to a centre — ^the necessity for 

 concentration — does not suppress and crush the 

 aspiration of Nature ; it only serves to compel the 

 aspiration to refine and perfect itself. 



In this spirit of aspiration checked by concentra- 

 tion the Artist will surely find what is after his own 

 heart. He will recognise that jvhat is going on in 

 Nature is the same as what goes on in hjs own heart. 

 He and Nature have a common aspiration. As he 

 aspires but has to concentrate, so does Nature aspire 

 but has to concentrate. As he works, so does 

 Nature work. What he aims at, that also does 

 Nature aim at. And when the Naturalist within 

 him convinces him that, so far as forest life reveals 

 it, this is Nature's manner and this is Nature's end, 

 then his heart goes out to the Heart of Nature, 

 his heart and her heart become one ; and from that 

 community of heart Beauty unending springs. 



He will without reserve or hesitation be able to 



