The Rambles of an Idler 



if we are unprepared ; tempests and tornadoes 

 are not children's playthings, but they have 

 their points of interest to a healthy man. Na- 

 ture is something more than "sweet sixteen," 

 and man should be above forever dangling 

 about this pretty but not thought-stimulating - 

 phase of creation. 



There is no lack of the Edenic in the world, 

 and the flaming sword that guarded sacred 

 places has long been sheathed ; but there is lack 

 of ability to discover them. Thorns and this- 

 tles are as easily handled as gossamer or feath- 

 ers if we have acquired the art, and it is not 

 the fault of thistles or thorns if we remain ig- 

 norant. We are forever protesting against the 

 consequences of our own ignorance, but it would 

 be well to remember that thorns and thistles 

 have been longer on the earth than man, as the 

 rocks testify; and to assert that their purpose 

 is to render our lives miserable is the climax 

 of silliness. I do not know why the truth should 

 be forever suppressed and our vision distorted 

 by the whims of ignorance. 



That is a perfect day when we can meet it on 

 equal terms, and that man's condition ap- 

 proaches to ideal health and strength when the 



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