The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-14
John Burroughs, the Forest Philosopher
His Life Story and His Latest Book

survival value But the case of aesthetics
is not so simple
Burroughs's thought is curiously Creek
pre-Socratic Greek. His universe is much
what modern Empedocles might make of
1.-THE One growing from the Many into
being, Monon eb pleonon.
1t is a most courageous book, and one that
will bring down upon him the dislike of
thousands of admirers of his earlier nature"
books, but 1t is absolutely sincere with the
invtolable sincerity of a scientist. And it is
immensely interesting-the most stimulating
JOHN BURROUGHS, BOY AND MAN. BY
Clara Barrus NJ. d. Doubleday, Page Co.
&C A LII that ever had, and still have,
~ may be yours by stretching forth
your hand and taking it." This is
the invitation to life worth living, printed
at the beginning of the biography of the
man who extends it. But the whole book
is an invitation, particularly to young
readers. to comradeship in the joyous COM
pany of nature. For many. John Burroughs
has opened the doors of natures house
where he is very much at home
DR.. Barrus has at once given a detailed
account of the slow, steady progress of this
life that grows like tree. and picked out
with dramatic emphasis the burning mo-.
ments that mark the crises of character
John was only four when the houssmaid
brought in dead scarlet tanager Tears
filled his eyes as he turned away to his
corner on the hearth a queer ache came
into his throat-love and sympathy for the
little bird were born together in his heart:
but curiosity was born also. and he soon
turned back, and taking the dead bird in his
hand stroked its scarlet plumage."
Sympathy and curiosity-the best equip
ment for seeker after natures truth.
A few years later he saw small blush
bird with a white spot on each wing. He
asked his brothers what IL was, but they
did not know And II was twenty years
before he found out that 1t was the black
throated blue warbler AS DIR. Barrus said
the interest then stimulated was to lead him
to be a pioneer in the preparation of such
books that no child of our day need ask In
vain for bird knowledge.
Burroughs grew to manhood and went
through many experiences, learning in
school and out. teaching school himself, be-
fore the event that crystallized his latent
interest. In the mid-year of the civil war
he saw for the first time copy of Audubon's
Birds of America" with its colored Illus
tratlons. 1T was like bringing together
fire and powder" declares his biographer.
And Burroughs himself says:
How eagerly and joyously ] took up the
study 1t fitted in so we'll with my country
tastes and breeding II turned my enthusi-
asm as a sportsman into a new channel; IL
gave to my walks a new delight; IL made
me look upon every grove and wood as a
new storehouse of possible treasures. 1
could go fishing or camping or picnicking
now with my resources for enjoyment
doubled"
And that is Just what he has done for
others-passed on Audubon's gift with some
thing of his own added
This book is for everybody that is alive
that has any power to respond to the i'm
pulses of life. 1t Is full of every kind of
interest from the stories of old country Gus
toms. from the memory of Burroughs's boy
hood to the new anecdotes of Walt Whit
man and contributions TO civil war history.