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LITERATURE AND NATURE
35

inconsiderable fraction of the sum of human pleasures? Assuredly they have, although it may be that they do not all appreciate its nature, or even, perhaps, suspect its existence. Popular opinion upon any topic is not necessarily the same at all times, and, as a matter of fact, it more generally resembles a pendulum than a fixed pole.

Bearing this in mind it does not seem surprising that our propogandists are inducing city folks to seek pleasant country places which, in by-gone days, were abandoned by those from whom they sprung as stale, unprofitable and wholly devoid of attractions. But yet another thought occurs as to a possible and beneficial result of the pursuit of the studies under discussion. Citizens of the great North American republic in general, and, for that matter, not a few Canadians and Britons, have a professed infinite confidence in the all-sufficiency of their own political and social institutions and conditions, and a corresponding contempt for those of other nations and of other ages. It would be a notable conclusion if, after failing to acquire the quality from the history of humanity, they should recognize and appropriate reverence, under a smokeless sky, in the midst of the bearers of feathers, fur and blossoms. Well might they sing in such event, "Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah. We found it in the fields of the wood." Ps. cxxxii, 6.