The state herald., 1907-04-19

intrudes by the dark sea and music in
its roar" Thoreau, after tasting of
all that cities could give, rctires to
Walden Pond to make companions of
the birds and fishes. Scores of others
have run away from high civilization,
with its artiiicialities, its slavish obedi-
ence to custom and its set fashion, to
lead hermit's life far removed from
the madding crowd and distracting ur-
ban noises.
Alexander Selkirk. however, aft.,r
practical test of four years ON his lone
ly island, did not discover the charms of
solitude so graphically described by the
poets. All that nature could do had
been done to make his abode pleasure
ole and inviting. Palm trees afforded
shade, streams trickling from the hills
furnished abundant water. there was
game Of many kinds, beautiful birds in
the groves and fishes for food to be
found in innumerable inlets. Still the
solitary u...-L.tant was not happy. De-
spite the skipping of the goats, the
Hight of sea fowl, the luxurant tropical
lowers. the delicious fruits in clusters
everywhere, life hung heavy on his
hands. Suffering with ennui, home
lick, lonesome, he prayed for the sound
Of human voice, for companion Of
his own kind, for some one with whom
o exchange thoughts. Better dwell
in the midst Of alarms than live in this
desOlate place" Though monarch Of
all he surveyed. with none to dispute his
right, this king without subjects suffer
cd the misery NJ monotony. Man is
Srcgarious animal, a social being. and
cannot long be content In isolation,
though surrounded by every natural
charm and supplied with every bodily
Rant. Manife.tly, hi this case MS in
otht ~, we must leave the extremes TO
seek the medium. Tho charms Of soli-
tude are only temporary and en-, y .ble
as contrast As a regular diet il
pals on the taste, as a mode of living
il fails TO ultimately satisfy.
The ideal is reached in combination.
The rural delights spread around Sell
kirk must be united with congenial
company Of his own kind. must bc
shared by others, TO whom he can talk.
must be in touch with civilization. The
modern farmer alone has reached this
happy medium, u solitude that Is ropu-
lous. simple life that Ia compound.
lie has all the osuhr delights Of the
SANDER without his loneliness. all the
. lcasurcs Of place without the heart
D. .kcning depression Incident 20 isoln-
q 4. Modern invention enables him TO
get the benefit Of change. TO enjoy the
pie 10, res which come only by contrast
We ar, ing Of the farm, he nny visit the
,itJ III ing Of urban activities. he may
ret Irn - eodily 10 the country. He may
kct p In /, lch with the outside world
wi hout 10, wing home. and when he
travels n a. ways In roach of mystic
eh ord N It connects him continually
" ,th the ,ye ones loft behind. Mod.
3 rn farmil w. therefore. In the hoart Of
civilization haA realized and improved
upon the d sonms Of the Arcadians. It
Ia the acmi tho ultimate good. 20 long
yainly soug h, by The diHcontoutoI Of n
lcss happy ,gL ''Dcttcr fifty years Of
Europe than. cycle Of Cathay." The
birds still ing in the ornamcntcd
grounds. q 70 gu IS Is AZ green M ever
between 4 le eul, waited ifcdgcrows, tho
trccs hnvei lost nothing by judieious
pruning, ard oil are the moro enjoyable
because n e. ,oyment ia shared by 9th
crs. Tho terrc ,tnal paradise is not lcfs
boeau V a wire strctehcsfrom
Ia borda' =, nor ,aturo'a loyclincsa de-
creased by the 'histlc Of ,rollics or
rumbliu , Of wheel = IN the distance. A
murtcu Farmer.