Essays and Miscellanies (Volume 2) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1914. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... ESSAYS AND MISCELLANIES A CLUB An assembly of good fellows.--Dr. Johnson's Dictionary. NOT far from the confusion and exactions of the great city, out amid the oaks and pines of Long Island, that grow big and stately enough if given elbow-room for air and sunshine, are the many acres to which we are to journey together. They belong, some of the uninitiated say, to a club, though really no club, in the popular acceptation of the word, has anything to do with their ownership. Rather are they the priceless possession of a few men bound together by ties of fellowship, the like of which it would not be worth while for one to set out in search of, unless prepared to go to the ends of the earth--and even then without much likelihood of success. Therefore, if now and then I do call this organization a Club, you will understand that I have in mind some such picture or memory as Dr. Johnson must have had, when he defined a club to be "An assembly of good fellows"; always provided that this sturdy, genuine scholar and man, when he wrote good fellows meant fine fellows, the best fellows. Even though you have heard of this Club or have visited it, you may nevertheless profit by this rambling journey we are to make together, if you care for God's best handiwork in the fashioning of men and of bright skies and woods and fields and streams. For as the interpreter, if he be the true lover of them, can point out in rare pictures, or books, or other treasures, some hidden beauties not apparent to the casual glance, so you may learn from me something new of the engaging men and the living things here. At the outset take it for granted that this Club has to ordinary Clubdom a relation which Bohemia has to places where men sordidly grub for mere money and I might add mere fame; for f...