The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-10-01
4 we NAV be permitted to make a slight

II we may be permitted to make a slight
change in the quotation.
1t is the season for walking; for long
leisurely rnmbles over the yellow fields
and through the purple woods. In such
rarnioles ono should not DO In hurry,
nor go out with any idea, save that OF
filling the lungs with pure air and feast
Ing tho eye with loneliness, and filling
the soul with natures sweets There
Is SO much to sec and admire II one only
has the fine art OF observing. geolo-
gst once told a friend that he spent his
entire vacation making explorations IN
bis back yard and by no means exhausted
the supply of interesting and instructive
matter. How inexhaustible the supply In
an afternoons excursion in tho suburbs
OF Richmond! Such a walk as we have
sa.d is indeed a walk with God, and II
ones soul be in harmony with the music
Of the Spheres he can feel the presence
at every step Of Him who created all
things, ana without whom nothing was
made.
How much literature owes" says
writer in the October number OF the
Atlantic. ITO the country walk! 1t was to
that long walk outside the wall OF Athens
and to the long talk that Socrates held
with Phraedus under the palm tree by
the banks of the 1lissus that We owe one
of the most beautiful Of the dialogues OF
Plato. There had been no seorgics had
not Virgil loved the country. Horace
must as often have circumamoulated
his Sabine farm as he perambulateu tho
Via Sacra.l Chaucer must sometlmes
have pilgrimed afoot and Spencer trode
as we'll as pricked DER the plain. Shakes
peare's poaching episodes gives us q
glimpse into his youthful pursuits. Mil
ton oft tho woods among wooed Phlomel
to hear her even-song; and even AFTER MS
blindness not the moro ceased ne 10
wander whore the muses. haunt clear
spring or shady grove or sunny NIL.
The Traveller OF Goldsmith was the out
come OF a walking tour: so was Robert
Louis stevenson's Travels with Don
key in the Cevennes. To how many
minds walks about the green flat meads
of Oxford have been a quiet stimulant
we may get hint from Matthew Ar
mold. Was 1t to Newman that, Jowett.
meeting him alone and afoot put the
query, "Nunquam minus solus guam
uuum solus?" OF Jowett's walks many
a tale is told of De Quincy. who spent
his youth in wanderngs; OF william
Cowper. the gentle singer Of the winter
~ Tpht p,,r.
roughs: Of Richard Jefferies; OF Mr..
Hamilton Wright Mabie the d,scoverer
of the Forest Of Arden: Of Mr.. Henry
Van Dyle who, though primarily and
avowedly a fisherman. would be. war
rant me, an incompatible companion for
a walk. and whose books make the pent-
UP sigh for the open; Of q Son OF the
Marshes; of DR.. Charles c. Abbott, that
interchangeable Wasteland Wanderer; OF
Mr.. Charles Goodrich Whiting the Saun-
terer; OF that prince Of walkers, Of whom
The Spectator said 1t was half pity
that such man could not go walking
about forever, for the benefit OF people
who are not gifted with legs so stout and
eyes so discerning"-I mean that cru
dite nomad, George Borrow; OF senan-
cour, who in his Journeys afoot, expe-
rienced illusions imposantes; OF Louis J.
jennings; OF sir Leslie stephen-of these
and many another lover Of outdoor Ma.
ture 1t is needless to speak"
It was doubtless o ramble that inspired
Byron to write
where is pleasure In the painless
wood
There is society where none intrude.
But this article Is not intended to be
poetic IT is intended to be practical.
daily walk into the country In these
glorious days of fall is good for the body
as we'll as for the soul, and Is better
than any tonic which doctor can devise
~@k