i INTRODUCTION 5 



intensified the emotions, as all keen percep- 

 tion of beauty does, but it did not add to 

 their joyousness. We speak of the pleasure 

 which nature and art and music give us ; 

 what we really mean is that our whole be- 

 ing is quickened by the uplifting of the veil. 

 Something passes into us which makes our 

 sorrows more sorrowful, our joys more joyful, 

 — our whole life more vivid. So it was with 

 him. The long solitary wanderings over the 

 hills, and the beautiful moonlight nights on 

 the lake served to make the shadows seem 

 darker that were brooding over his home." 



But surely to most of us Nature when 

 sombre, or even gloomy, is soothing and con- 

 soling ; when bright and beautiful, not only 

 raises the spirits, but inspires and elevates 

 our whole being — 



Nature never did betray 

 The heart that loved her ; 'tis her privilege, 

 Through all the years of this our life, to lead 

 From joy to joy : for she can so inform 

 The mind that is within us, so impress 

 With quietness and beauty, and so feed 

 With lofty thoughts, that neither evil tongues, 

 Rash judgments, nor the sneers of selfish men, 



