If we ask why this is so, we find it answered by Whitman, who,
in conversation with a friend, said, "John is one of the true
hearts--one of the true hearts--warm, sure, firm."

Mr. Burroughs has been much visited, much "appreciated," much
rhymed about, much painted, modeled, and photographed, and--much
loved. Because he has been so much loved, and because his influence
has been so far-reaching, it has seemed to me that a book which
gives familiar and intimate glimpses of him will be welcomed by
the legion who call him friend. The exceptional opportunities I
have enjoyed for many years past of observing him encourage me
in the undertaking.

The readers of Mr. Burroughs crave the personal relation with him.
Just as they want to own his books, instead of merely taking them
from the public libraries, so they want to meet the man, take him
by the hand, look into his eyes, hear his voice, and learn, if
possible, what it is that has given him his unfailing joy in life,
his serenity, his comprehensive and loving insight into the life of
the universe. They feel, too, a sense of deep gratitude to one who
has shown them how divine is the soil under foot--veritable star-dust
from the gardens of the Eternal. He has made us feel at one with
the whole cosmos, not only with bird and tree, and rock and flower,
but also with the elemental forces, the powers which are friendly or
unfriendly according as we put ourselves in right or wrong relations
with them. He has shown us the divine in the common and the near at
hand; that heaven lies about us here in this world; that the
glorious and the miraculous are not to be sought afar off, but are
here and now; and that love of the earth-mother is, in the truest
sense, love of the divine: "The babe in the womb is not nearer its