PREFATORY NOTE 



These studies are practical, the product of 

 genuine experience — they have been lived. 

 They were written to help in some way the 

 earnest student of to-day's real life. They were 

 meant to inspire wide reading, careful observa- 

 tion, thoughtful study and noble living. Na- 

 ture is a kind and faithful teacher, she is full 

 of life and reveals it, she bears the impress of 

 her Creator and indexes it in a thousand ways, 

 she has so much to give to the hungry minded 

 and gives liberally. But she demands the rev- 

 erent spirit and sympathetic heart; these con- 

 ditions met and the gifts are greater than can 

 be estimated. So is it true of Literature and 

 Art and Life; they all alike await the sincere 

 searcher and worker and reward him royally. 

 Never were such opportunities and possibili- 

 ties. Their appeal is personal and persistent. 

 The best things are not yet found or done. The 

 age is intense with emphasis. Everything 

 means something, and that something involves 

 our work and destiny. So have I thought out 

 these studies with set purpose and may they 

 give every reader somewhat of the pleasure 

 experienced in their preparation. 



F. C. H. 

 Brooklyn, N. Y., 



Nov. 2, 1909. 



