New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-04
Naturalist Never Idle, Vigorous and Philosopher Sends
Message to City People That They Rush and
Run Expense of Happiness

west Park, n. V, April 81 am
never idle, but ! don't think III ever
die because Of overwork."
This is the way John Burroughs,
naturalist, feels on his seventy-elghth
birthday. He was seated before a
blazing fire in his study, n rustic cot
tage which hangs on the edge of the
cliff above the Hudson. Except for the
long rows of books which line the
room. everything in sight was rustic
and old-fashioned. The open fireplace
savored Of the New England farm
house of half century ago, and the
piles Of cordwood on either side tesu-
fed TO the energy of the venerable au-
thor in the easy chair
81 built this place myself he eX-
planned, "to say nothing of the house
and barn. These evergreens planted.
I've been here for forty years, and nj
happy and healthy
Mr. Burroughs returned TO the sub
iect of work. you city people rush
and run and toll hard enough, but ITS
all at the expense Of the later years OF
life. You haven't the fresh air and
food The noise and speed are dis
tracing TO the nerves, and your
geniuses never live as long as they
might.
Age Too Mechanical.
"Tp here in the mountains, where
there are plenty of birds and other or
natures creatures, | can do my WORK
without interruption. | take care OF
nv health and | feel as young as !
did years ago. All my writing IS done
in the forenoons, a. ! walk and rest
in the latter part of the day. use
my automobile TO go TO places Wh4Cn
| would not otherwise visit, but ! walk
a great deal. In fact, hate every car
hut nv own. When the tourists go
NV with their heads in the air, kicking
up dust and forcing pedestrians 70 the
side Of the road, feel that this age
is getting too mechanical.
"Since this war started ] appreciate
more than ever the value Of my Sc
Guided retreat Il has become night
mare and often robs me OF my sleep.
German militarism must be crushed.
love the Germans as a people, but the
CLIQUE of advisers around the halser
has overturned the civilization OF
century. Think Of all those fine young
men being sacrificed 70 the whims OF
few high officials! It's too much for
me.
al believe that Germany was in
fair way to conquer the worId oy
peace. FOR the scholars OF that nauoh
are unexcelled. But now she seeks
TO rule by force of arms. Why, II the
German army was to come over here
| would shoulder a musket, Ola as ]
am. and fight them myself"
The mention Of Belgium softened the
glow in the eyes Of the patriarch. ne
generosity of America to this stricken
land IS one of the finest examples OF
applied Christianity | have ever WIT
messed" he said. I've are doing a
Great work, and it speaks volumes for
The United States that We have opened
our hearts and our purses to these
unfortunate widows and orphans. J. or
them | feel the deepest sympathy.
"kultur" Not Only Thing.
"Tbere are other civilizations than
the boosted 'kultur,' and the sooner
Germany recognizes the fact the bet
ter for the world There are young
men facing the cannon in Flanders
who might some day become great
figures in literature, science or the
arts Why should they be killed on
because Of a nations claim OF ad-
vanced 'Kultur'?'
The idea Of war was evidently 700
terrible for the naturalist TO discuss
let's get back to nature he PLEADED.
Isn't this romantic spot? I've had
some distinguished visitors here.
"Henry Ford, the Manufacturer
calls on me from time TO time ne
is about the only multl-ml Ionare o.
his type. He frankly admits mat ne
never made an effort TO get rlch, anu
now he's doing a great good WIN ms
wealth He's a practical benelac1o'
who believes in doing something worth
while. The country needs a FEW more
like him. Lu,
"Walt Whitman used TO come mere
for weeks stay lie enjoyed the
woods in his slow, quiet, easy gong
way. We would pDd around IN the
hills back from the river, making our
headouarters at 'Slabsides,' my herml-
tage up the mountain. 1t is title
log cabin which | built myself. ! go
out there for a fortnight, COOK my
own food. sleep like a pioneer ana
live the life Of a recluse.
/ "Another of my callers is Theodore
Roosevelt. lie has hunted enough 70
+ ike the wilderness, and he likes to go
/ back there with me and talk OF the
beauties of natural history. Jonn
Muir. the California mountain climb
/ or. who died in December, was also
favorite guest. He was warm friend
and an interesting companion. We
/ spent many happy hours alone. and !
uns ALWAYS benefited by the expert
tnce. / believe Muir worked himself
"a death. as he was man Of wonder
| ful energy. He was like Balzac he
would stick TO a task until it was FIN
+ jshed. with little or no rest. With him
a morning stroll might develop into
a trip up Mount Shasta, while his
family and friends believed him lost.
But he exhausted his physical resources
by OVERRIDING himself"
The naturalist turned to his hobby.
] - never hunt any more, for love all