zoologically, he was plainly free from that fear of being mistaken
for an ape, which haunts so many in these modern times. Perfectly
sure that he himself was a spiritual being, he thought it at least
possible that birds might be spiritual beings likewise, incarnate
like himself in mortal flesh; and saw no degradation to the dignity
of human nature in claiming kindred lovingly with creatures so
beautiful, so wonderful, who (as he fancied in his old-fashioned way)
praised God in the forest, even as angels did in heaven. In a word,
the saint, though he was an ascetic, and certainly no man of science,
was yet a poet, and somewhat of a philosopher; and would have
possibly--so do extremes meet--have hailed as orthodox, while we hail
as truly scientific, Wordsworth's great saying -


'Therefore am I still
A lover of the meadows and the woods
And mountains; and of all that we behold
From this green earth; of all the mighty world
Of eye and ear--both what they half create,
And what perceive; well pleased to recognize
In Nature and the language of the sense,
The anchor of my purest thoughts, the nurse,
The guide, the guardian of my heart, and soul
Of all my moral being.'



II. CHALK-STREAM STUDIES. {29}