In the enfranchised mind of the scientific naturalist, the usual feelings of repugnance simply do not exist. Curiosity conquers prejudice.
August 27.
Am spending my summer holidays in the Lakes at Coniston with G—— and R——.... I am simply consumed with pride at being among the mountains at last! It is an enormous personal success to have arrived at Coniston!
August 29.
Climbed a windy eminence on the other side of the Lake and had a splendid view of Helvellyn—like a great hog's back. It is fine to walk over the elastic turf with the wind bellowing into each ear and swirling all around me in a mighty sea of air until I was as clean-blown and resonant as a sea-shell. I moved along as easily as a disembodied spirit and felt free, almost transparent. The old earth seemed to have soaked me up into itself, I became dissolved into it, my separate body was melted away from me, and Nature received me into her deepest communion—until, UNTIL I got on the lee side of a hedge where the calm brought me back my gaol of clay.
September 1.
Fourteen days hence I shall be a married man. But I feel most dejected about it. When I fell down the other day, I believe I slightly concussed my spinal column, with the result that my 1913 trouble has returned, but this time on the left side! paralysis and horrible vertigo and presentiments of sudden collapse as I walk.
September 2.
I fear I have been overdoing it in this tempting mountain region. Walking too far, etc. So I am slacking. It was fortunate I did not get concussion of the brain—I came within an inch of it: the hair of my head brushed the ground.
A Buxom Rogue in Earthenware