Many of Nature’s finest lessons are to be found in her storms, and if careful to keep in right relations with them, we may go safely abroad with them, rejoicing in the grandeur and beauty of their works and ways.
Ihave precious little sympathy for theselfish proprietyof civilized man, and if awarof racesshould occurbetween the wild beasts and Lord Man, I would be tempted to sympathise with the bears.
To the sane and free it will hardly seem necessary to cross the continent in search of wild beauty, however easy the way, for they find it in abundance wherever they chance to be.
Government protection should be thrown around every wild grove and forest on the mountains, as it is around every private orchard, and the trees in public parks. To say nothing of their value as fountains of timber, they are worth infinitely more than all the gardens and parks of towns.
I always befriended animals and have said many a good word for them. Even to the least-loved mosquitoes I gave many a meal, and told them to go in peace.
Man has injured every animal he has touched.
All Nature’s wildness tells the same story: the shocks and outbursts of earthquakes, volcanoes, geysers, roaring, thundering waves and floods, the silent uprush of sap in plants, storms of every sort, each and all, are the orderly, beauty-making love-beats of Nature’s heart.
Men use care in purchasing a horse, and are neglectful in choosing friends.
I always enjoyed the hearty society of a snowstorm.
But to gain a perfect view, one must go yet further, over a curving brow to a slight shelf on the extreme brink.
I’ve had a great time in South America and South Africa. Indeed it now seems that on this pair of wild hot continents I’ve enjoyed the most fruitful year of my life.
There is a love of wild nature in everybody, an ancient mother-love showing itself whether recognized or no, and however covered by cares and duties.
It is always interesting to see people in dead earnest, from whatever cause, and earthquakes make everybody earnest.
One should go to the woods for safety, if for nothing else.
One may as well dam for water tanks the people’s cathedrals and churches, for no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man.
So also there are tides and floods in the affairs of men, which in some are slight and may be kept within bounds, but in others they overmaster everything.
How narrow we selfish conceited creatures are in our sympathies! How blind to the rights of all the rest of creation!
The forests of America, however slighted by man, must have been a great delight to God; for they were the best he ever planted.
The Big Tree is Nature’s forest masterpiece, and so far as I know, the greatest of living things.
The tide of visitors will float slowly about the bottom of the valley as harmless scum collecting in hotel and saloon eddies, leaving the rocks and falls eloquent as ever.