Andhowisitkeptgood？
Lookatallthoseloadsofhay，whicharebeingcarriedoffthefield。Doyouthinkyoucantakeallthatawaywithoutputtinganythinginitsplace？
Whynot？
IfItookallthebutteroutofthechurn，whatmustIdoifI
wantmorebutterstill？
Putmorecreamin。
So，ifIwantmoregrasstogrow，Imustputonthesoilmoreofwhatgrassismadeof。
Butthebutterdon’tgrow，andthegrassdoes。
Whatdoesthegrassgrowin？
Thesoil。
Yes。Justasthebuttergrowsinthechurn。Soyoumustputfreshgrass—stuffcontinuallyintothesoil，asyouputfreshcreamintothechurn。Youhaveheardthefarmmensay，\"Thatcrophastakenagooddealoutoftheland\"？
Yes。
Thentheyspokeexacttruth。WhatwillthathayturnintobyChristmas？Can’tyoutell？Intomilk，ofcourse，whichyouwilldrink；andintohorsefleshtoo，whichyouwilluse。
Usehorseflesh？Noteatit？
No；wehavenotgotasfarasthat。WedidnotevenmakeupourmindstotastetheCambridgedonkey。Buteverytimethehorsedrawsthecarriage，heusesupsomuchmuscle；andthatmusclehemustgetbackagainbyeatinghayandcorn；andthathayandcornmustbeputbackagainintothelandbymanure，ortherewillbeallthelessforthehorsenextyear。Foronecannoteatone’scakeandkeepittoo；andnomorecanoneeatone’sgrass。
Sothisfieldisatrulywonderfulplace。Itisnouglypileofbrickandmortar，withatallchimneypouringoutsmokeandevilsmells，withunhealthy，haggardpeopletoilinginside。Whydoyoulooksurprised？
Because——becausenobodyeversaiditwas。Youmeanamanufactory。
Well，andthishay—fieldisamanufactory：onlylikemostofMadamHow’sworkshops，infinitelymorebeautiful，aswellasinfinitelymorecrafty，thananymanufactoryofman’sbuilding。
Itisbeautifultobehold，andhealthytoworkin；ajoyandblessingaliketotheeye，andthemind，andthebody：andyetitisamanufactory。
Butamanufactoryofwhat？
Ofmilkofcourse，andcows，andsheep，andhorses；andofyourbodyandmine——forweshalldrinkthemilkandeatthemeat。Andthereforeitisafleshandmilkmanufactory。Wemustputintoiteveryyearyard—stuff，tank—stuff，guano，bones，andanythingandeverythingofthatkin，thatMadamHowmaycookitforusintograss，andcookthegrassagainintomilkandmeat。Butifwedon’tgiveMadamHowmaterialtoworkon，wecannotexpecthertoworkforus。Andwhatdoyouthinkwillhappenthen？Shewillsettoworkforherself。Therichgrasseswilldwindleforwantofammonia（thatissmellingsalts），andtherichcloversforwantofphosphates（thatisbone—earth）：andintheirplaceswillcomeoverthebanktheoldweedsandgrassoffthemoor，whichhavenotroomtogetinnow，becausethegroundiscovetedalready。Theywantnoammonianorphosphates——atalleventstheyhavenone，andthatiswhythecattleonthemoornevergetfat。Sotheycanlivewheretheserichgrassescannot。Andthentheywillconquerandthrive；andtheFieldwillturnintoWildoncemore。
Ah，mychild，thankGodforyourforefathers，whenyoulookoverthatboundarymark。ForthedifferencebetweentheFieldandtheWildisthedifferencebetweentheoldEnglandofMadamHow’smaking，andthenewEnglandwhichshehastaughtmantomake，carryingonwhatshehadonlybegunandhadnottimetofinish。
Thatmoorisapatternbitlefttoshowwhatthegreaterpartofthislandwaslikeforlongagesafterithadrisenoutofthesea；whentherewaslittleornothingontheflatuppermoorssaveheaths，andling，andclub—mosses，andsoftgorse，andneedle—
whin，andcreepingwillows；andfurzeandfernuponthebrows；andinthebottomsoakandash，beechandalder，hazelandmountainash，hollyandthorn，withhereandthereanaspenorabuckthorn（berry—bearingalderasyoucallit），andeverywhere——wherehecouldthrustdownhislongroot，andthrustuphislongshoots——
thatintrudingconquerorandinsolenttyrant，thebramble。Thereweresedgesandrushes，too，inthebogs，andcoarsegrassontheforestpastures——or\"leas\"aswecallthemtothisdayroundhere—
—butnorealgreenfields；and，Isuspect，veryfewgayflowers，saveinspringthesheetsofgoldengorse，andinsummerthepurpleheather。SuchwasoldEngland——orrather，suchwasthislandbeforeitwasEngland；afarsadder，damper，poorerlandthannow。Foronemanoronecoworsheepwhichcouldhavelivedonitthen，ahundredcanlivenow。Andyet，whatitwasonce，thatitmightbecomeagain，——itsurelywouldroundhere，ifthisbraveEnglishpeoplediedoutofit，andthelandwaslefttoitselfoncemore。
Whatwouldhappenthen，youmayguessforyourself，fromwhatyouseehappenwheneverthelandislefttoitself，asitisinthewoodabove。Inthatwoodyoucanstillseethegrassridgesandfurrowswhichshowthatitwasonceploughedandsownbyman；
perhapsaslateasthetimeofHenrytheEighth，whenagreatdealofpoorland，asyouwillreadsomeday，wasthrownoutoftillage，tobecomeforestanddownoncemore。Andwhatisthemountnow？Ajungleofoakandbeech，cherryandholly，youngandoldallgrowinguptogether，withthemountainashandbrambleandfurzecomingupsofastbeneaththem，thatwehavetocutthepathsclearagainyearbyyear。Why，eventhelittlecow—wheat，averyold—worldplant，whichonlygrowsinancientwoods，hasfounditswaybackagain，Iknownotwhence，andcoverstheopenspaceswithitsprettyyellowandwhiteflowers。Manhadconqueredthismount，yousee，fromMadamHow，hundredsofyearsago。Andshealwaysletsmanconquerher，becauseLadyWhywishesmantoconquer：onlyhemusthaveafairfightwithMadamHowfirst，andtryhisstrengthagainstherstotheutmost。Somanconqueredthewoodforawhile；anditbecamecornfieldinsteadofforest：buthewasnotstrongandwiseenoughthreehundredyearsagotokeepwhathehadconquered；andbackcameMadamHow，andtooktheplaceintoherownhands，andbadetheoldforesttreesandplantscomebackagain——astheywouldcomeiftheywerenotstoppedyearbyyear，downfromthewood，overthepastures——killingtherichgrassesastheywent，tilltheymetanotherforestcomingupfrombelow，andfoughtitformanyayear，tillbothmadepeace，andlivedquietlysidebysideforages。
Anotherforestcomingupfrombelow？Wherewoulditcomefrom？
Fromwhereitisnow。Comedownandlookalongthebrook，andeverydrainandgripwhichrunsintothebrook。Whatishere？
Seedlingalders，andsomewithiesamongthem。
Verywell。Youknowhowwepullthesealdersup，andcutthemdown，andyettheycontinuallycomeagain。Now，ifweandallhumanbeingsweretoleavethispastureforafewhundredyears，wouldnotthosealdersincreaseintoawood？Wouldtheynotkillthegrass，andspreadrightandleft，seedingthemselvesmoreandmoreasthegrassdied，andleftthegroundbare，tilltheymettheoaksandbeechescomingdownthehill？Andthenwouldbeginagreatfight，foryearsandyears，betweenoakandbeechagainstalderandwillow。
Buthowcantreesfight？Couldtheymoveorbeateachotherwiththeirboughs？
Notquitethat；thoughtheydobeateachotherwiththeirboughs，fiercelyenough，inagaleofwind；andthenthetreeswhohavestrongandstiffboughswoundthosewhohavebrittleandlimpboughs，andsohurtthem，andifthestormscomeoftenenough，killthem。Butamongthesetreesinashelteredvalleythelargerandstrongerwouldkilltheweakerandsmallerbysimplyovershadowingtheirtops，andstarvingtheirroots；starvingthem，indeed，somuchwhentheygrowverythick，thatthepoorlittleacorns，andbeechmast，andalderseedswouldnotbeabletosproutatall。Sotheywouldfight，killingeachother’schildren，tillthewarended——IthinkIcanguesshow。
How？
Thebeechesareasdaintyastheyarebeautiful；andtheydonotliketogettheirfeetwet。Sotheywouldventuredownthehillonlyasfarasthedrygroundlasts，andthosewhotriedtogrowanylowerwoulddie。Buttheoaksarehardy，anddonotcaremuchwheretheygrow。Sotheywouldfighttheirwaydownintothewetgroundamongthealdersandwillows，tilltheycametowheretheirenemiesweresothickandtall，thattheacornsastheyfellcouldnotsproutinthedarkness。Andsoyouwouldhaveatlast，alongthehill—side，aforestofbeechandoak，lowerdownaforestofoakandalder，andalongthestream—sidealdersandwillowsonly。
Andthatwouldbeaveryfairexampleofthegreatlawofthestruggleforexistence，whichcausesthecompetitionofspecies。
Whatisthat？
MadamHowisverystern，thoughsheisalwaysperfectlyjust；andthereforeshemakeseverylivingthingfightforitslife，andearnitsbread，fromitsbirthtillitsdeath；andrewardsitexactlyaccordingtoitsdeserts，andneithermorenorless。
Andthecompetitionofspeciesmeans，thateachthing，andkindofthings，hastocompeteagainstthethingsroundit；andtoseewhichisthestronger；andthestrongerlive，andbreed，andspread，andtheweakerdieout。
Butthatisveryhard。
Iknowit，mychild，Iknowit。Butsoitis。AndMadamHow，nodoubt，wouldbeoftenveryclumsyandverycruel，withoutmeaningit，becausesheneverseesbeyondherownnose，orthinksatallabouttheconsequencesofwhatsheisdoing。ButLadyWhy，whodoesthinkaboutconsequences，ishermistress，andordersheraboutforever。AndLadyWhyis，Ibelieve，aslovingassheiswise；andthereforewemusttrustthatsheguidesthisgreatwarbetweenlivingthings，andtakescarethatMadamHowkillsnothingwhichoughtnottodie，andtakesnothingawaywithoutputtingsomethingmorebeautifulandsomethingmoreusefulinitsplace；
andthatevenifEnglandwere，whichGodforbid，overrunoncemorewithforestsandbramble—brakes，thattoowouldbeofusesomehow，somewhere，somewhen，inthelongageswhicharetocomehereafter。
Andyoumustremember，too，thatsincemencameintotheworldwithrationalheadsontheirshoulders，LadyWhyhasbeenhandingovermoreandmoreofMadamHow’sworktothem，andsomeofherownworktoo：andbidsthemtoputbeautifulandusefulthingsintheplaceofuglyanduselessones；sothatnowitismen’sownfaultiftheydonotusetheirwits，anddobyalltheworldwhattheyhavedonebythesepastures——changeitfromabarrenmoorintoarichhay—field，bycopyingthelawsofMadamHow，andmakinggrasscompeteagainstheath。Butyoulookthoughtful：
whatisityouwanttoknow？
Why，yousayalllivingthingsmustfightandscrambleforwhattheycangetfromeachother：andmustnotItoo？ForIamalivingthing。
Ah，thatistheoldquestion，whichourLordansweredlongago，andsaid，\"Benotanxiouswhatyeshalleatorwhatyeshalldrink，orwherewithalyoushallbeclothed。Forafterallthesethingsdotheheathenseek，andyourHeavenlyFatherknoweththatyehaveneedofthesethings。ButseekyefirstthekingdomofGodandHisrighteousness，andallthesethingsshallbeaddedtoyou。\"Afew，veryfew，peoplehavetakenthatadvice。Buttheyhavebeenjustthesaltoftheearth，whichhaskeptmankindfromdecaying。
Butwhathasthattodowithit？
See。Youarealivingthing，yousay。Areyouaplant？
No。
Areyouananimal？
Idonotknow。Yes。IsupposeIam。Ieat，anddrink，andsleep，justasdogsandcatsdo。
Yes。Thereisnodenyingthat。NooneknewthatbetterthanSt。
Paulwhenhetoldmenthattheyhadaflesh；thatis，abody，andananimal’snatureinthem。ButSt。Paultoldthem——ofcoursehewasnotthefirsttosayso，forallthewiseheathenshaveknownthat——thattherewassomethingmoreinus，whichhecalledaspirit。Somecallitnowthemoralsentiment，someonething，someanother，butwewillkeeptotheoldword：weshallnotfindabetter。
Yes，IknowthatIhaveaspirit，asoul。
Bettertosaythatyouareaspirit。ButwhatdoesSt。Paulsay？
Thatourspiritistoconquerourflesh，andkeepitdown。Thatthemaninus，inshort，whichismadeinthelikenessofGod，istoconquertheanimalinus，whichismadeinthelikenessofthedogandthecat，andsometimes（Ifear）inthelikenessoftheapeorthepig。Youwouldnotwishtobelikeacat，muchlesslikeanapeorapig？
Ofcoursenot。
Thendonotcopythem，bycompetingandstrugglingforexistenceagainstotherpeople。
Whatdoyoumean？
Didyouneverwatchthepigsfeeding？
Yes，andhowtheygrudgeandquarrel，andshoveeachother’snosesoutofthetrough，andevenbiteeachotherbecausetheyaresojealouswhichshallgetmost。
Thatisit。Andhowthebiggestpigdrivestheothersaway，andwouldstarvethemwhilehegotfat，ifthemandidnotdrivehimoffinhisturn。
Oh，yes；Iknow。
Thennowiserthanthosepigsareworldlymenwhocompete，andgrudge，andstrugglewitheachother，whichshallgetmostmoney，mostfame，mostpowerovertheirfellow—men。Theywilltellyou，mychild，thatthatisthetruephilosophy，andthetruewisdom；
thatcompetitionisthenaturallawofsociety，andthesourceofwealthandprosperity。Donotyoulistentothem。Thatisthewisdomofthisworld，whichthefleshteachestheanimals；andthosewhofollowit，liketheanimals，willperish。SuchmenarenotevenaswiseasSweeptheretriever。
NotaswiseasSweep？
Notthey。SweepwillnottakeawayVictor’sbone，thoughheistentimesasbigasVictor，andcouldkillhiminamoment；andwhenhecatchesarabbit，doesheeatithimself？
Ofcoursenot；hebringsitandlaysitdownatourfeet。
Becausehelikesbettertodohisduty，andbepraisedforit，thantoeattherabbit，dearlyashelongstoeatit。
Butheisonlyananimal。Whotaughthimtobegenerous，anddutiful，andfaithful？
Who，indeed！Notwe，youknowthat，forhehasgrownupwithussinceapuppy。Howhelearntit，andhisparentsbeforehim，isamystery，ofwhichwecanonlysay，Godhastaughtthem，weknownothow。Butseewhathashappened——thatjustbecausedogshavelearntnottobeselfishandtocompete——thatis，havebecomecivilisedandtame——thereforeweletthemlivewithus，andlovethem。Becausetheytrytobegoodintheirsimpleway，thereforetheytoohaveallthingsaddedtothem，andlivefarhappier，andmorecomfortablelivesthantheselfishwolfandfox。
Butwhyhavenotallanimalsfoundoutthat？
Icannottell：theremaybewiseanimalsandfoolishanimals，astherearewiseandfoolishmen。Indeedthereare。Iseeaverywiseanimalthere，whonevercompetes；forshehaslearnedsomethingofthegoldenlesson——thatitismoreblessedtogivethantoreceive；andsheactsonwhatshehaslearnt，alldaylong。
Whichdoyoumean？Why，thatisabee。
Yes，itisabee：andIwishIwereasworthyinmyplaceasthatbeeisinhers。IwishIcouldactupaswellasshedoestothetruewisdom，whichisself—sacrifice。Forwhomisthatbeeworking？Forherself？Ifthatwasall，sheonlyneedstosuckthehoneyasshegoes。Butsheisstoringupthewaxunderherstomach，andbee—breadinherthighs——forwhom？Notforherselfonly，orevenforherownchildren：butforthechildrenofanotherbee，herqueen。Forthemshelaboursalldaylong，buildsforthem，feedsthem，nursesthem，spendsherloveandcunningonthem。Sodoesthatantonthepath。Sheiscarryinghomethatsticktobuildforotherants’children。Sodothewhiteantsinthetropics。Theyhavelearntnottocompete，buttohelpeachother；nottobeselfish，buttosacrificethemselves；andthereforetheyarestrong。
Butyoutoldmeoncethatantswouldfightandplundereachother’snests。Andoncewesawtwohivesofbeesfightingintheair，andfallingdeadbydozens。
Mychild，donotmenfight，andkilleachotherbythousandswithsharpshotandcoldsteel，because，thoughtheyhavelearntthevirtueofpatriotism，theyhavenotyetlearntthatofhumanity？
Wemustnotblamethebeesandantsiftheyarenowiserthanmen。
Atleasttheyarewiseenoughtostandupfortheircountry，thatis，theirhive，andworkforit，anddieforit，ifneedbe；andthatmakesthemstrong。
Buthowdoesthatmakethemstrong？
How，isadeepquestion，andoneIcanhardlyansweryet。Butthatithasmadethemsothereisnodoubt。Lookatthesolitarybees——thegovernorsaswecallthem，wholiveinpairs，inlittleholesinthebanks。Howfewofthemthereare；andtheyneverseemtoincreaseinnumbers。Thenlookatthehivebees，how，justbecausetheyarecivilised，——thatis，becausetheyhelpeachother，andfeedeachother，insteadofbeingsolitaryandselfish，——theybreedsofast，andgetsomuchfood，thatiftheywerenotkilledfortheirhoney，theywouldsoonbecomeanuisance，anddriveusoutoftheparish。
Butthenwegivethemtheirhivesreadymade。
True。Butinoldforestcountries，wheretreesdecayandgrowhollow，thebeesbreedinthem。
Yes。Irememberthebeetreeinthefiravenue。
Wellthen，inmanyforestsinhotcountriesthebeesswarminhollowtrees；andthey，andtheants，andthewhiteants，haveitalltheirownway，andarelordsandmasters，drivingtheverywildbeastsbeforethem，whiletheantsandwhiteantseatupallgardens，andplantations，andclothes，andfurniture；tillitisaseriousquestionwhetherinsomehotcountriesmanwilleverbeabletosettle，sostronghavetheantsgrown，byagesofcivilisation，andnotcompetingagainsttheirbrothersandsisters。
ButmayInotcompeteforprizesagainsttheotherboys？
Well，thereisnoharminthat；foryoudonotharmtheothers，evenifyouwin。Theywillhavelearntallthemore，whiletryingfortheprize；andsowillyou，evenifyoudon’tgetit。ButI
tellyoufairly，tryingforprizesisonlyfitforachild；andwhenyoubecomeaman，youmustputawaychildishthings——
competitionamongtherest。
ButsurelyImaytrytobebetterandwiserandmorelearnedthaneverybodyelse？
Mydearestchild，whytryforthat？Trytobeasgood，andwise，andlearnedasyoucan，andifyoufindanyman，ortenthousandmen，superiortoyou，thankGodforit。Doyouthinkthattherecanbetoomuchwisdomintheworld？
Ofcoursenot：butIshouldliketobethewisestmaninit。
Thenyouwouldonlyhavetheheaviestburdenofallmenonyourshoulders。
Why？
Becauseyouwouldberesponsibleformorefoolishpeoplethananyoneelse。RememberwhatwiseoldMosessaid，whensomeonecameandtoldhimthatcertainmeninthecampwereprophesying——\"WouldGodalltheLord’speopledidprophesy！\"Yes；itwouldhavesavedMosesmanyaheartache，andmanyasleeplessnight，ifalltheJewshadbeenwiseashewas，andwiserstill。Sodonotyoucompetewithgoodandwisemen，butsimplycopythem：andwhateveryoudo，donotcompetewiththewolves，andtheapes，andtheswineofthisworld；forthatisagameatwhichyouaresuretobebeaten。
Why？
BecauseLadyWhy，ifshelovesyou（asItrustshedoes），willtakecarethatyouarebeaten，lestyoushouldfancyitwasreallyprofitabletolivelikeacunningsortofanimal，andnotlikeatrueman。AndhowshewilldothatIcantellyou。Shewilltakecarethatyoualwayscomeacrossaworsemanthanyouaretryingtobe，——amoreapishman，whocantumbleandplaymonkey—tricksforpeople’samusementbetterthanyoucan；oramoreswinishman，whocangetatmoreofthepig’s—washthanyoucan；oramorewolfishman，whowilleatyouupifyoudonotgetoutofhisway；
andsoshewilldisappointanddisgustyou，mychild，withthatgreedy，selfish，vainanimallife，tillyouturnroundandseeyourmistake，andtrytolivethetruehumanlife，whichalsoisdivine；——tobejustandhonourable，gentleandforgiving，generousanduseful——inoneword，tofearGod，andkeepHiscommandments：
andasyoulivethatlife，youwillfindthat，bytheeternallawsofLadyWhy，allotherthingswillbeaddedtoyou；thatpeoplewillbegladtoknowyou，gladtohelpyou，gladtoemployyou，becausetheyseethatyouwillbeofusetothem，andwilldothemnoharm。Andifyoumeet（asyouwillmeet）withpeoplebetterandwiserthanyourself，thensomuchthebetterforyou；fortheywillloveyou，andbegladtoteachyouwhentheyseethatyouarelivingtheunselfishandharmlesslife；andthatyoucometothem，notasfoolishCritiascametoSocrates，tolearnpoliticalcunning，andbecomeaselfishandambitioustyrant，butaswisePlatocame，thathemightlearnthelawsofLadyWhy，andlovethemforhersake，andteachthemtoallmankind。Andsoyou，liketheplantsandanimals，willgetyourdesertsexactly，withoutcompetingandstrugglingforexistenceastheydo。
Andallthishascomeoutoflookingatthehay—fieldandthewildmoor。
Whynot？Thereisananimalinyou，andthereisamaninyou。
Iftheanimalgetstheupperhand，allyourcharacterwillfallbackintowilduselessmoor；ifthemangetstheupperhand，allyourcharacterwillbecultivatedintorichandfertilefield。
Choose。
Nowcomedownhome。Thehaymakersarerestingunderthehedge。
Thehorsesaredawdlinghometothefarm。Thesunisgettinglow，andtheshadowslong。Comehome，andgotobedwhilethehouseisfragrantwiththesmellofhay，anddreamthatyouarestillplayingamongthehaycocks。Whenyougrowold，youwillhaveotherandsadderdreams。
CHAPTERXI——THEWORLD’SEND
Hullo！hi！wakeup。Jumpoutofbed，andcometothewindow，andseewhereyouare。
Whatawonderfulplace！
Soitis：thoughitisonlypooroldIreland。Don’tyourecollectthatwhenwestartedItoldyouweweregoingtoIreland，andthroughittotheWorld’sEnd；andherewearenowsafeattheendoftheoldworld，andbeyondusthegreatAtlantic，andbeyondthatagain，thousandsofmilesaway，thenewworld，whichwillberichandprosperous，civilisedandnoble，thousandsofyearshence，whenthisoldworld，itmaybe，willbedead，andlittlechildrentherewillbereadingintheirhistorybooksofAncientEnglandandofAncientFrance，asyounowreadofGreeceandRome。
Butwhatawonderfulplaceitis！Whatarethosegreatgreenthingsstandingupinthesky，alloverpurpleribsandbars，withtheirtopshidintheclouds？
Thosearemountains；thebonesofsomeoldworld，whosepoorbaresidesMadamHowistryingtocoverwithrichgreengrass。
Andhowfaroffarethey？
HowIshouldliketowalkuptothetopofthatonewhichlooksquiteclose。
Youwillfinditalongwalkupthere；threemiles，Idaresay，overblackbogsandbanksofrock，andupcorriesandcliffswhichyoucouldnotclimb。Thereareplentyofcowsonthatmountain：
andyettheylooksosmall，youcouldnotseethem，norIeither，withoutaglass。Thatlongwhitestreak，zigzaggingdownthemountainside，isaroaringcataractoffoamfivehundredfeethigh，fullnowwithlastnight’srain；butbythisafternoonitwillhavedwindledtoalittlethread；andto—morrow，whenyougetup，ifnomorerainhascomedown，itwillbegone。MadamHowworkshereamongthemountainsswiftlyandhugely，andsometimesterriblyenough；asyoushallseewhenyouhavehadyourbreakfast，andcomedowntothebridgewithme。
Butwhatabeautifulplaceitis！Flowersandwoodsandalawn；
andwhatisthatgreatsmoothpatchinthelawnjustunderthewindow？
Isitanemptyflower—bed？
Ah，therebyhangsastrangetale。Wewillgoandlookatitafterbreakfast，andthenyoushallseewithyourowneyesoneofthewonderswhichIhavebeentellingyouof。
Andwhatisthatshiningbetweenthetrees？
Water。
Isitalake？
Notalake，thoughthereareplentyroundhere；thatissaltwater，notfresh。Lookawaytotheright，andyouseeitthroughtheopeningofthewoodsagainandagain：andnowlookabovethewoods。Youseeafaintblueline，andgrayandpurplelumpslikeclouds，whichrestuponitfaraway。That，child，isthegreatAtlanticOcean，andthoseareislandsinthefarwest。ThewaterwhichwashesthebottomofthelawnwasbutafewmonthsagopouringoutoftheGulfofMexico，betweentheBahamasandFlorida，andsweptawayhereasthegreatoceanriverofwarmwaterwhichwecalltheGulfStream，bringingwithitoutoftheopenoceantheshoalsofmackerel，andtheporpoisesandwhaleswhichfeeduponthem。Somefineafternoonwewillrundownthebayandcatchstrangefishes，suchasyouneversawbefore，andverylikelyseealivingwhale。
What？suchawhaleastheygetwhalebonefrom，andwhicheatssea—
moths？
No，theylivefarnorth，intheArcticcircle；thesearegrampuses，andbottle—noses，whichfeedonfish；notsobigastherightwhales，butquitebigenoughtoastonishyou，ifonecomesupandblowsclosetotheboat。Getyourselfdressedandcomedown，andthenwewillgoout；weshallhaveplentytoseeandtalkofateverystep。
Now，youhavefinishedyourbreakfastatlast，socomealong，andweshallseewhatweshallsee。Firstrunoutacrossthegravel，andscrambleupthatbankoflawn，andyouwillseewhatyoufanciedwasanemptyflower—bed。
Why，itisallhardrock。
Ah，youarecomeintothelandofrocksnow：outofthelandofsandandgravel；outofasoftyoungcorneroftheworldintoaveryhard，old，weather—beatencorner；andyouwillseerocksenough，andtoomanyforthepoorfarmers，beforeyougohomeagain。
Buthowbeautifullysmoothandflattherockis：andyetitisallrounded。
Whatisitlike？
Like——likethehalfofashell。
Notbadlysaid，butthinkagain。
Like——like——Iknowwhatitislike。Likethebackofsomegreatmonsterpeepingupthroughtheturf。
Youhavegotit。SuchrocksasthesearecalledinSwitzerland\"rochesmoutonnees，\"becausetheyare，peoplefancy，likesheep’sbacks。Nowlookatthecracksandlayersinit。Theyrunacrossthestone；theyhavenothingtodowiththeshapeofit。Youseethat？
Yes：butherearecracksrunningacrossthem，allalongthestone，tilltheturfhidesthem。
Lookatthemagain；theyarenocracks；theydonotgointothestone。
Isee。Theyarescratched；somethinglikethoseontheelder—stemathome，wherethecatssharpentheirclaws。Butitwouldtakeabigcattomakethem。
DoyourecollectwhatItoldyouofMadamHow’shand，moreflexiblethananyhandofman，andyetstrongenoughtogrindthemountainsintopaste？
Iknow。Ice！ice！ice！Butarethesereallyice—marks？
Child，ontheplacewherewenowstand，overrichlawns，andwarmwoods，andshininglochs，layonceonatimehundreds，itmaybethousands，offeetofsolidice，crawlingoffyondermountain—topsintotheoceanthereoutside；andthisisoneofitstracks。Seehowthescratchesallpointstraightdownthevalley，andstraightouttosea。Thosemountainsare2000feethigh：buttheyweremuchhigheronce；fortheicehasplanedthetopsoffthem。Then，itseemstome，theicesank，andleftthemountainsstandingoutofitabouthalftheirheight，andatthatlevelitstayed，tillithadplaneddownallthoselowermoorsofsmoothbarerockbetweenusandtheWesternocean；andthenitsankagain，anddwindledback，leavingmoraines（thatis，heapsofdirtandstones）allupthesevalleyshereandthere，tillatthelastitmeltedallaway，andpooroldIrelandbecamefittoliveinagain。
Wewillgodownthebaysomedayandlookatthosemoraines，someofthemquitehillsofearth，andthenyouwillseeforyourselfhowmightyachiseltheice—chiselwas，andwhatvastheapsofchipsithasleftbehind。Nowthen，downoverthelawntowardsthebridge。Listentotheriver，louderandloudereverystepwetake。
Whataroar！Isthereawaterfallthere？
No。Itisonlytheflood。Andunderneaththeroarofthatflood，doyounothearadeepernote——adullrumbling，asiffromunderground？
Yes。Whatisit？
Therollingofgreatstonesunderwater，whicharebeingpolishedagainsteachother，astheyhurrytowardthesea。Now，upontheparapetofthebridge。Iwillholdyoutight。LookandseeMadamHow’srain—spadeatwork。Lookattheterribleyellowtorrentbelowus，almostfillingupthearchesofthebridge，andleapinghighinwavesandcrestsoffoam。
Oh，thebridgeisfallingintothewater！
Notabit。Youarenotaccustomedtoseewaterrunningbelowyouattenmilesanhour。Nevermindthatfeeling。Itwillgooffinafewseconds。Look；thewaterisfullsixfeetupthetrunksofthetrees；overthegrassandthekingfern，andthetallpurpleloose—strife—
Oh！Herecomesatreedancingdown！
Andtherearesometurfswhichhavebeencutonthemountain。Andthereisareallysadsight。Lookwhatcomesnow。
One——two——three。
Why，theyaresheep。
Yes。Andasadlosstheywillbetosomepoorfellowintheglenabove。
Andoh！Lookatthepigturningroundandroundsolemnlyinthecornerundertherock。Poorpiggy！Heoughttohavebeenathomesafeinhisstye，andnotwanderingaboutthehills。Andwhatarethesecomingnow？
Butterfirkins，Ithink。Yes。Thisisagreatflood。Itiswelliftherearenoliveslost。
ButisitnotcruelofMadamHowtomakesuchfloods？
Well——letusaskoneofthesemenwhoarelookingoverthebridge。
Why，whatdoeshesay？Icannotunderstandoneword。IshetalkingIrish？
Irish—Englishatleast：butwhathesaidwas，thatitwasamightyfinefloodentirely，praisedbeGod；andwouldhelponthepotatoesandoatsafterthedrought，andsetthegrassgrowingagainonthemountains。
Andwhatishesayingnow？
Thattheriverwillbefullofsalmonandwhitetroutafterthis。
Whatdoeshemean？
Thatunderourfeetnow，ifwecouldseethroughthemuddywater，dozensofsalmonandsea—troutarerunningupfromthesea。
What！upthisfuriousstream？
Yes。Whatwouldbedeathtoyouispleasureandplaytothem。Uptheyaregoing，tospawninthelittlebrooksamongthemountains；
andallofthemarethebestoffood，fattenedontheherringsandspratsintheseaoutside，MadamHow’sfreegift，whichdoesnotcostmanafarthing，savetheexpenseofnetsandrodstocatchthem。
Howcanthatbe？
Iwillgiveyouabitofpoliticaleconomy。Supposeapoundofsalmonisworthashilling；andapoundofbeefisworthashillinglikewise。Beforewecaneatthebeef，ithascostperhapstenpencetomakethatpoundofbeefoutofturnipsandgrassandoil—cake；andsothecountryisonlytwopenceapoundricherforit。ButMr。Salmonhasmadehimselfoutofwhatheeatsinthesea，andsohascostnothing；andtheshillingapoundisallcleargain。There——youdon’tquiteunderstandthatpieceofpoliticaleconomy。Indeed，itisonlyinthelasttwoorthreeyearsthatolderheadsthanyourshavegottounderstandit，andhavepassedthewisenewsalmonlaws，bywhichtheriverswillbeoncemoreasrichwithfoodasthelandis，justastheywerehundredsofyearsago。Butnow，lookagainattheriver。Whatdoyouthinkmakesitsoyellowandmuddy？
Dirt，ofcourse。
Andwheredoesthatcomefrom？
Offthemountains？
Yes。Tonsontonsofwhitemudarebeingcarrieddownpastusnow；andwherewilltheygo？
Intothesea？
Yes，andsinkthereinthestillwater，tomakenewstrataatthebottom；andperhapsinthem，ageshence，someonewillfindthebonesofthosesheep，andofpoorMr。Pigtoo，fossil—
Andthebutterfirkinstoo。Whatfuntofindafossilbutterfirkin！
Butnowliftupyoureyestothejaggedmountaincrests，andtheirdarksidesalllacedwithsilverstreams。Outofeverycrackandcrannytherealoft，therainisbringingdowndirt，andstonestoo，whichhavebeensplitoffbythewinter’sfrosts，deepeningeverylittlehollow，andsharpeningeverypeak，andmakingthehillsmorejaggedandsteepyearbyyear。
Whentheicewentaway，thehillswereallscrapedsmoothandroundbytheglaciers，liketheflatrockuponthelawn；anduglyenoughtheymusthavelooked，mostlikegreatbrownbuns。Buteversincethen，MadamHowhasbeenscoopingthemoutagainbyherwater—chiselintodeepglens，mightycliffs，sharppeaks，suchasyouseealoft，andmakingtheoldhillsbeautifuloncemore。Why，eventheAlpsinSwitzerlandhavebeencarvedoutbyfrostandrain，outofsomegreatflat。TheverypeakoftheMatterhorn，ofwhichyouhavesooftenseenapicture，isbutonesinglepointleftofsomeenormousbunofrock。Alltheresthasbeencarvedawaybyrainandfrost；andsomedaytheMatterhornitselfwillbecarvedaway，anditslaststonetoppleintotheglacieratitsfoot。See，aswehavebeentalking，wehavegotintothewoods。
Oh，whatbeautifulwoods，justlikeourown。
Notquite。Therearesomethingsgrowingherewhichdonotgrowathome，asyouwillsoonsee。Andtherearenorocksathome，either，astherearehere。
Howstrange，toseetreesgrowingoutofrocks！Howdotheirrootsgetintothestone？
Thereisplentyofrichmouldinthecracksforthemtofeedon—
\"Healthtotheoakofthemountains；hetruststothemightoftherock—clefts。
Deeplyhemines，andinpeacefeedsonthewealthofthestone。\"
Howmanysortsoftreesthereare——oak，andbirchandnuts，andmountain—ash，andhollyandfurze，andheather。
Andifyouwenttosomeoftheislandsinthelakeupintheglen，youwouldfindwildarbutus——strawberry—tree，asyoucallit。Wewillgoandgetsomeonedayorother。
Howlongandgreenthegrassis，evenontherocks，andtheferns，andthemoss，too。Everythingseemsricherherethanathome。
Ofcourseitis。Youarehereinthelandofperpetualspring，wherefrostandsnowseldom，ornevercomes。
Oh，lookatthefernsunderthisrock！Imustpicksome。
Pickaway。Iwillwarrantyoudonotpickallthesorts。
Yes。Ihavegotthemallnow。
Notsohasty，child；thereisplentyofabeautifulferngrowingamongthatmoss，whichyouhavepassedover。Lookhere。
What！thatlittlethingafern！
Holdituptothelight，andsee。
Whatalovelylittlething，likeatransparentsea—weed，hungonblackwire。Whatisit？
Filmfern，Hymenophyllum。Butwhatareyoustaringatnow，withallyoureyes？
Oh！thatrockcoveredwithgreenstarsandacloudoflittlewhiteandpinkflowersgrowingoutofthem。
Aha！mygoodlittledog！Ithoughtyouwouldstandtothatgamewhenyoufoundit。
Whatisit，though？
Youmustanswerthatyourself。Youhaveseenitahundredtimesbefore。
Why，itisLondonPride，thatgrowsinthegardenathome。
Ofcourseitis：buttheIrishcallitSt。Patrick’scabbage；
thoughitgotherealongtimebeforeSt。Patrick；andSt。Patrickmusthavebeenveryshortofgarden—stuffifheeverateit。
ButhowdiditgetherefromLondon？
No，no。HowdiditgettoLondonfromhence？Forfromthiscountryitcame。IsupposetheEnglishbroughtithomeinQueenBess’sorJamestheFirst’stime。
Butifitiswildhere，andwillgrowsowellinEngland，whydowenotfinditwildinEnglandtoo？
ForthesamereasonthattherearenotoadsorsnakesinIreland。
TheyhadnotgotasfarasIrelandbeforeIrelandwaspartedofffromEngland。AndSt。Patrick’scabbage，andagoodmanyotherplants，hadnotgotasfarasEngland。
Butwhy？
Why，Idon’tknow。ButthisIknow：thatwhenMadamHowmakesanewsortofplantoranimal，shestartsitinonesingleplace，andleavesittotakecareofitselfandearnitsownliving——asshedoesyouandmeandeveryone——andspreadfromthatplaceallroundasfarasitcango。SoSt。Patrick’scabbagegotintothissouth—westofIreland，long，longago；andwassuchabravesturdylittleplant，thatitclambereduptothetopofthehighestmountains，andoveralltherocks。Butwhenitgottotherichlowlandstotheeastward，incountyCork，itfoundallthegroundtakenupalreadywithotherplants；andastheyhadenoughtodotolivethemselves，theywouldnotletSt。Patrick’scabbagesettleamongthem；andithadtobecontentwithlivinghereinthefar—west——and，whatwasverysad，hadnomeansofsendingwordtoitsbrothersandsistersinthePyreneeshowitwasgettingon。
Whatdoyoumean？Areyoumakingfunofme？
Nottheleast。Iamonlytellingyouaverystrangestory，whichisliterallytrue。Come，andsitdownonthisbench。Youcan’tcatchthatgreatbutterfly，heistoostrongonthewingforyou。
Butoh，whatabeautifulone！
Yes，orangeandblack，silverandgreen，agloriouscreature。Butyoumayseehimathomesometimes：thatplantclosetoyou，youcannotseeathome。
Why，itisonlygreatspurge，suchasgrowsinthewoodsathome。
No。ItisIrishspurgewhichgrowshere，andsometimesinDevonshire，andthenagaininthewestofEurope，downtothePyrenees。Don’ttouchit。Ourwoodspurgeispoisonousenough，butthisisworsestill；ifyougetadropofitsmilkonyourliporeye，youwillbeinagoniesforhalfaday。Thatistheevilplantwithwhichthepoacherskillthesalmon。
Howdotheydothat？
Whenthesalmonarespawningupinthelittlebrooks，andthewaterislow，theytakethatspurge，andgrinditbetweentwostonesunderwater，andletthemilkrundownintothepool；andatthatallthepoorsalmonturnupdead。Thencomesthewater—
bailiff，andcatchesthepoachers。Thencomesthepoliceman，withhisswordathissideandhistruncheonunderhisarm：andthencomesa\"cheapjourney\"toTraleeGaol，inwhichthosefoolishpoacherssitandreconsiderthemselves，anddeterminenottobreakthesalmonlaws——atleasttillnexttime。
Butwhyisitthatthisspurge，andSt。Patrick’scabbage，growonlyhereinthewest？Iftheygothereofthemselves，wheredidtheycomefrom？Alloutsidethereissea；andtheycouldnotfloatoverthat。
Come，Isay，andsitdownonthisbench，andIwilltellyouatale，——thestoryoftheOldAtlantis，thesunkenlandinthefarWest。OldPlato，theGreek，toldlegendsofit，whichyouwillreadsomeday；andnowitseemsasifthoseoldlegendshadsometruthinthem，afterall。WearestandingnowononeofthelastremainingscrapsoftheoldAtlanticland。Lookdownthebay。Doyouseefaraway，under，themountains，littleislands，longandlow？
Oh，yes。
Someoftheseareoldslate，likethemountains；othersarelimestone；bitsoftheoldcoral—reeftothewestofIrelandwhichbecamedryland。
Iknow。Youtoldmeaboutit。
Thenthatland，whichisalleatenupbythewavesnow，oncejoinedIrelandtoCornwall，andtoSpain，andtotheAzores，andI
suspecttotheCapeofGoodHope，andwhatisstranger，toLabrador，onthecoastofNorthAmerica。
Oh！Howcanyouknowthat？
Listen，andIwillgiveyouyourfirstlessoninwhatIcallBio—
geology。
Whatalongword！
IfyoucanfindashorteroneIshallbeverymuchobligedtoyou，forIhatelongwords。Butwhatitmeansis，——Tellinghowthelandhaschangedinshape，bytheplantsandanimalsuponit。Andifyoueverread（asyouwill）Mr。Wallace’snewbookontheIndianArchipelago，youwillseewhatwonderfuldiscoveriesmenmaymakeaboutsuchquestionsiftheywillbutusetheircommonsense。Youknowthecommonpinkheather——ling，aswecallit？
Ofcourse。
Thenthatlinggrows，notonlyhereandinthenorthandwestofEurope，butintheAzorestoo；and，whatismorestrange，inLabrador。Now，aslingcanneitherswimnorfly，doesnotcommonsensetellyouthatallthosecountrieswereprobablyjoinedtogetherinoldtimes？
Well：butitseemssostrange。
Soitis，mychild；andsoiseverything。But，asthefoolsaysinShakespeare—
\"Alongtimeagotheworldbegan，Withheighho，thewindandtherain。\"
Andthewindandtherainhavemadestrangeworkwiththepooroldworldeversince。Andthatisaboutallthatwe，whoarenotverymuchwiserthanShakespeare’sfool，cansayaboutthematter。Butagain——theLondonPridegrowshere，andsodoesanothersaxifrageverylikeit，whichwecallSaxifragaGeum。Now，whenIsawthosetwoplantsgrowingintheWesternPyrenees，betweenFranceandSpain，andwiththemthebeautifulbluebutterwort，whichgrowsintheseKerrybogs——wewillgoandfindsome——whatcouldIsaybutthatSpainandIrelandmusthavebeenjoinedonce？
Isupposeitmustbeso。
Again。Thereisalittlepinkbutterworthereinthebogs，whichgrows，too，indearoldDevonshireandCornwall；andalsointhesouth—westofScotland。Now，whenIfoundthattoo，inthebogsnearBiarritz，closetothePyrenees，andknewthatitstretchedawayalongtheSpanishcoast，andintoPortugal，whatcouldmycommonsenseleadmetosaybutthatScotland，andIreland，andCornwall，andSpainwerealljoinedonce？Thoseareonlyafewexamples。Icouldgiveyouadozenmore。Forinstance，onanislandawaytheretothewest，andonlyinonespot，theregrowsalittlesortoflily，whichisfoundIbelieveinBrittany，andontheSpanishandPortugueseheaths，andeveninNorth—westAfrica。
AndthatAfricaandSpainwerejoinednotsoverylongagoattheStraitsofGibraltarthereisnodoubtatall。
ButwheredidtheMediterraneanSearunoutthen？
Perhapsitdidnotrunoutatall；butwasasalt—waterlake，liketheCaspian，ortheDeadSea。PerhapsitranoutoverwhatisnowtheSahara，thegreatdesertofsand，for，thatwasasea—bottomnotlongago。
Butthen，howwasthislandofAtlantisjoinedtotheCapeofGoodHope？
Icannotsayhow，orwheneither。Butthisisplain：theplaceintheworldwherethemostbeautifulheathsgrowistheCapeofGoodHope？YouknowIshowedyouCapeheathsonceatthenurserygardener’sathome。
Ohyes，pink，andyellow，andwhite；somuchlargerthanours。
Thenitseems（Ionlysayitseems）asiftheremusthavebeensomelandoncetothewestward，fromwhichthedifferentsortsofheathspreadsouth—eastwardtotheCape，andnorth—eastwardintoEurope。Andthattheycamenorth—eastwardintoEuropeseemscertain；fortherearenoheathsinAmericaorAsia。
Buthownorth—eastward？
Think。Standwithyourfacetothesouthandthink。Ifathingcomesfromthesouth—west——fromthere，itmustgotothenorth—
east—towardsthere。Mustitnot？
Ohyes，Isee。
Nowthen——Thefartheryougosouth—west，towardsSpain，themorekindsofheaththereare，andthehandsomer；asiftheiroriginalhome，fromwhichtheystarted，wassomewheredownthere。
Moresorts！Whatsorts？
Howmanysortsofheathhaveweathome？
Three，ofcourse：ling，andpurpleheath，andbottleheath。
AndtherearenomoreinallEngland，orWales，orScotland，except——Now，listen。IntheveryfarthestendofCornwalltherearetwomoresorts，theCornishheathandtheOrange—bell；andtheysay（thoughIneversawit）thattheOrange—bellgrowsnearBournemouth。
Well。Thatissouthandwesttoo。
Soitis：butthatmakesfiveheaths。NowinthesouthandwestofIrelandallthesefiveheathsgrow，andtwomore：thegreatIrishheath，withpurplebells，andtheMediterraneanheath，whichflowersinspring。
Oh，Iknowthem。TheygrowintheRhododendronbedsathome。
Ofcourse。Nowagain。IfyouwentdowntoSpain，youwouldfindallthosesevenheaths，andothersortswiththem，andthosewhicharerareinEnglandandIrelandarecommonthere。AboutBiarritz，ontheSpanishfrontier，allthemoorsarecoveredwithCornishheath，andthebogswithOrange—bell，andlovelytheyaretosee；
andgrowingamongthemisatallheathsixfeethigh，whichtheycalltherebruyere，orBroomheath，becausetheymakebroomsofit：
andoutofitsrootsthe\"briar—root\"pipesaremade。Thereareotherheathsaboutthatcountry，too，whosenamesIdonotknow；
sothatwhenyouarethere，youfancyyourselfintheveryhomeoftheheaths：butyouarenot。TheymusthavecomefromsomelandnearwheretheAzoresarenow；orhowcouldheathshavegotpastAfrica，andthetropics，totheCapeofGoodHope？
Itseemsverywonderful，tobeabletofindoutthattherewasagreatlandonceintheoceanallbyafewlittleheaths。
Notbythemonly，child。Therearemanyotherplants，andanimalstoo，whichmakeonethinkthatsoitmusthavebeen。AndnowI
willtellyousomethingstrangerstill。Theremayhavebeenatime——somepeoplesaythattheremust——whenAfricaandSouthAmericawerejoinedbyland。
AfricaandSouthAmerica！Wasthatbeforetheheathscamehere，orafter？
Icannottell：butIthink，probablyafter。Butthisiscertain，thattheremusthavebeenatimewhenfigs，andbamboos，andpalms，andsarsaparillas，andmanyothersortsofplantscouldgetfromAfricatoAmerica，ortheotherway，andindeedalmostroundtheworld。AboutthesouthofFranceandItalyyouwillseeonebeautifulsarsaparilla，withhookedprickles，zigzaggingandtwiningaboutoverrocksandruins，trunksandstems：andwhenyoudo，ifyouhaveunderstanding，itwillseemasstrangetoyouasitdidtometorememberthatthehomeofthesarsaparillasisnotinEurope，butintheforestsofBrazil，andtheRiverPlate。
Oh，Ihaveheardabouttheirgrowingthere，andstainingtheriversbrown，andmakingthemgoodmedicinetodrink：butIneverthoughttherewereanyinEurope。
Thereareonlyoneortwo，andhowtheygotthereisamarvelindeed。Butnow——IftherewasnotdrylandbetweenAfricaandSouthAmerica，howdidthecatsgetintoAmerica？Fortheycannotswim。
Cats？Peoplemighthavebroughtthemover。
JaguarsandPumas，whichyoureadofinCaptainMayneReid’sbooks，arecats，andsoaretheOcelotsortigercats。
Oh，IsawthemattheZoologicalGardens。
Butnoonewouldbringthemover，Ishouldthink，excepttoputthemintheZoo。
Notunlesstheywereveryfoolish。
AndmuchstrongerandclevererthanthesavagesofSouthAmerica。
No，thosejaguarsandpumushavebeeninAmericaforages：andtherearethosewhowilltellyou——andIthinktheyhavesomereasonontheirside——thatthejaguar，withhisroundpatchesofspots，wasonceverymuchthesameastheAfricanandIndianleopard，whocanclimbtreeswell。SowhenhegotintothetropicforestsofAmerica，hetooktothetrees，andlivedamongthebranches，feedingonslothsandmonkeys，andnevercomingtothegroundforweeks，tillhegrewfatterandstrongerandfarmoreterriblethanhisforefathers。Andtheywilltellyou，too，thatthepumawas，perhaps——Ionlysayperhaps——somethinglikethelion，who（youknow）hasnospots。Butwhenhegotintotheforests，hefoundverylittlefoodunderthetrees，onlyaveryfewdeer；andsohewasstarved，anddwindleddowntothepoorlittlesheep—stealingrogueheisnow，ofwhomnobodyisafraid。
Oh，yes！IremembernowA。saidheandhismenkilledsixinoneday。Butdoyouthinkitisalltrueaboutthepumasandjaguars？
Mychild，Idon’tsaythatitistrue：butonlythatitislikelytobetrue。Insciencewemustbecautiousandmodest，andreadytoalterourmindswheneverwelearnfreshfacts；onlykeepingsureofonething，thatthetruth，whenwefinditout，willbefarmorewonderfulthananynotionsofours。See！Aswehavebeentalkingwehavegotnearlyhome：andluncheonmustbeready。
***
Whyareyouopeningyoureyesatmelikethedogwhenhewantstogooutwalking？
BecauseIwanttogoout。ButIdon’twanttogooutwalking。I
wanttogointheyacht。
Intheyacht？Itdoesnotbelongtome。
Oh，thatisonlyfun。Iknoweverybodyisgoingoutinittoseesuchabeautifulislandfullofferns，andhaveapicnicontherocks；andIknowyouaregoing。
ThenyouknowmorethanIdomyself。
ButIheardthemsayyouweregoing。
ThentheyknowmorethanIdomyself。
Butwouldyounotliketogo？
Imightliketogoverymuchindeed；butasIhavebeenknockedaboutatseaagooddeal，andperhapsmorethanIintendtobeagain，itisnonoveltytome，andtheremightbeotherthingswhichIlikedstillbetter：forinstance，spendingtheafternoonwithyou。
ThenamInottogo？
Ithinknot。Don’tpullsuchalongface：butbeaman，andmakeupyourmindtoit，asthegeesedotogoingbarefoot。
ButwhymayInotgo？
BecauseIamnotMadamHow，butyourDaddy。
Whatcanthathavetodowithit？
IfyouaskedMadamHow，doyouknowwhatshewouldanswerinamoment，ascivillyandkindlyascouldbe？Shewouldsay——Ohyes，gobyallmeans，andpleaseyourself，myprettylittleman。MyworldistheParadisewhichtheIrishmantalkedof，inwhich\"amanmightdowhatwasrightinthesightofhisowneyes，andwhatwaswrongtoo，ashelikedit。\"
ThenMadamHowwouldletmegointheyacht？
Ofcourseshewould，orjumpoverboardwhenyouwereinit；orputyourfingerinthefire，andyourheadafterwards；oreatIrishspurge，anddielikethesalmon；oranythingelseyouliked。
NobodyissoindulgentasMadamHow：andshewouldbethedearestoldladyintheworld，butforoneuglytrickthatshehas。Shenevertellsanyonewhatiscoming，butleavesthemtofinditoutforthemselves。Sheletsthemputtheirfingersinthefire，andnevertellsthemthattheywillgetburnt。
Butthatisverycruelandtreacherousofher。
Myboy，ourbusinessisnottocallhardnames，buttotakethingsaswefindthem，astheHighlandmansaidwhenheatethebraxymutton。NowshallI，becauseIamyourDaddy，tellyouwhatMadamHowwouldnothavetoldyou？Whenyougetonboardtheyacht，youwillthinkitallverypleasantforanhour，aslongasyouareinthebay。Butpresentlyyouwillgetalittlebored，andrunaboutthedeck，anddisturbpeople，andwanttosithere，there，andeverywhere，whichIshouldnotlike。Andwhenyougetbeyondthatheadland，youwillfindthegreatrollerscominginfromtheAtlantic，andthecuttertossingandheavingasyouneverfeltbefore，underaburningsun。Andthenmymerrylittleyounggentlemanwillbegintofeelalittlesick；andthenverysick，andmoremiserablethanheeverfeltinhislife；andwishathousandtimesoverthathewassafeathome，evendoingsumsinlongdivision；andhewillgiveagreatdealoftroubletovariouskindladies——whichnoonehasarighttodo，ifhecanhelpit。
OfcourseIdonotwishtobesick：onlyitlookssuchbeautifulweather。
Andsoitis：butdon’tfancythatlastnight’srainandwindcanhavepassedwithoutsendinginsuchaswellaswillfrightenyou，whenyouseethecutterclimbinguponesideofawave，andrunningdowntheother；MadamHowtellsmethat，thoughshewillnottellyouyet。