i8S 
NATURE NOTES. 
Of Thoreau’s writings, “ Walden,” is perhaps the most 
interesting. But all his writings, and the story of the manner of 
his life, however great dissent from his doctrines may be, have a 
deep psychological interest. 
His life was short. The Poet-Naturalist died in his forty- 
fifth spring. 
I would end with these words of his: “ I think the most 
important requisite in describing an animal is to be sure that 
3'ou give its character and spirit, for in that you have, without 
error, the sum and effect of all its parts known and unknown.” 
J. L. Otter. 
A VILLAGE NATURALIST.* 
In Memoriam : William Greenip ( rural postman ), a close observer of 
Nature : obiit November ist, at Keswickl\ 
God sometimes fills a poor man’s patient heart 
With His own reverent love and constant care 
For all the things He hath created fair, — 
Birds, flowers, the wings that fly, the fins that dart, — - 
And therewithal by Nature’s winsome art 
Leads him to heights of philosophic air 
Where clamour dies, Heaven’s ether is so rare, 
And bids him walk with gentleness apart. 
F'riend ! such wert thou : the Newlands valley dew, 
The star o’er Grisedale’s purple head that shone, 
Were not more silent, but each stream and glade, 
Each bird that flashed, all dusky moths that flew, 
All flowers, held commune with thee. Thou art gone : 
And Nature mourns the tender heart she made. 
H. D. Rawnsley. 
THE PRESERVATION AND ENJOYMENT OF 
OPEN SPACES. 
(Continued from p. 174.) 
ERE is a branch of the open space movement which 
still remains to be noticed. It has been well remarked 
that footpaths convert all rural England into one great 
open space. It is not surprising then that the Commons 
Preservation Society, at a recent meeting, formally determined 
to bring footpaths within the scope of its work. After carefully 
* Although the following has already appeared in the Spectator of November 
15th, we reprint it in our columns by kind permission of the author, a well-known 
Selbornian. 
