ciation. Such harmony of intelligences is the rarest thing. All
through life we long for it: the desire drives us, like a demon, into
waste places; too often ends by plunging us into mud and morass. And,
after all, we learn that the vision was illusory. To every man is it
decreed: thou shalt live alone. Happy they who imagine that they have
escaped the common lot; happy, whilst they imagine it. Those to whom no
such happiness has ever been granted at least avoid the bitterest of
disillusions. And is it not always good to face a truth, however
discomfortable? The mind which renounces, once and for ever, a futile
hope, has its compensation in ever-growing calm.

XXI.

All about my garden to-day the birds are loud. To say that the air is
filled with their song gives no idea of the ceaseless piping, whistling,
trilling, which at moments rings to heaven in a triumphant unison, a wild
accord. Now and then I notice one of the smaller songsters who seems to
strain his throat in a madly joyous endeavour to out-carol all the rest.
It is a chorus of praise such as none other of earth's children have the
voice or the heart to utter. As I listen, I am carried away by its
glorious rapture; my being melts in the tenderness of an impassioned joy;
my eyes are dim with I know not what profound humility.

XXII.

Were one to look at the literary journals only, and thereafter judge of
the time, it would be easy to persuade oneself that civilization had
indeed made great and solid progress, and that the world stood at a very
hopeful stage of enlightenment. Week after week, I glance over these
pages of crowded advertisement; I see a great many publishing-houses
zealously active in putting forth every kind of book, new and old; I see
names innumerable of workers in every branch of literature. Much that is
announced declares itself at once of merely ephemeral import, or even of
no import at all; but what masses of print which invite the attention of
thoughtful or studious folk! To the multitude is offered a long
succession of classic authors, in beautiful form, at a minimum cost;
never were such treasures so cheaply and so gracefully set before all who
can prize them. For the wealthy, there are volumes magnificent; lordly
editions; works of art whereon have been lavished care and skill and
expense incalculable. Here is exhibited the learning of the whole world
and of all the ages; be a man's study what it will, in