The Eambles of an Idler 



spitefully. I had trespassed upon the common 

 domain of the wild life of the woods, and was 

 reminded that man is never one with the crea- 

 tures whose company he would keep. This 

 common domain was a damp spot only, yet 

 treasured by the creatures that here slaked 

 their thirst. How they found enough water to 

 drink I cannot imagine. So far as I could de- 

 termine, here was dampness merely; but, then, 

 I see only with my own eyes, which doubtless 

 would be thought a pitifully poor way of ob- 

 serving Nature by every beast, bird and creep- 

 ing thing that lives in, on and above this forest 

 floor. 



If it were possible to follow the same path, 

 at the same time of day and tarry for a few 

 hours at the same spot ; if this were possible for 

 a year, in shade and sunshine, under clear skies 

 and cloudy, summer and winter, then and then 

 only would we have a clear conception of what 

 a trifling bit of commonplace country really 

 is. Then, I believe, the comedy and tragedy of 

 each day as it passes, might be recorded as it 

 should, clarity of thought following contact with 

 Nature. 



238 



