THE LOOM OF AUTUMN I97 



asters range through lilac, violet, 

 purple, white, claiming September as 

 a festival. Their beauty has given 

 them a place in English shrubberies, 

 where they bloom at Michaelmas, when 

 the farmer eats his goose, and they are 

 gathered to trim the churches on the 

 double festival, the purple being called 

 Michaelmas daisies, and the snowy 

 white species, All Angels. Science has 

 taught us all but what we wish most to 

 learn; has tried to ignore the soul, but 

 burning its fingers in the inextinguish- 

 able flame, smarting, smiles a wincing 

 smile and says, "We do not know!" 

 How much poetry we shall miss if the 

 time ever comes when festivals and 

 holidays are no longer kept, but are 

 packed away as the world's childish 

 toys. No fear of it; for all time there 

 will be those who find in simple way- 

 side things — All Angels. 



