the day's delight。 I went bare…headed； that the golden beams might shed upon me their unstinted blessing。 That day I must have walked some thirty miles； yet I knew not fatigue。 Could I but have once more the strength which then supported me！
I had stepped into a new life。 Between the man I had been and that which I now became there was a very notable difference。 In a single day I had matured astonishingly； which means； no doubt； that I suddenly entered into conscious enjoyment of powers and sensibilities which had been developing unknown to me。 To instance only one point： till then I had cared very little about plants and flowers； but now I found myself eagerly interested in every blossom； in every growth of the wayside。 As I walked I gathered a quantity of plants； promising myself to buy a book on the morrow and identify them all。 Nor was it a passing humour； never since have I lost my pleasure in the flowers of the field； and my desire to know them all。 My ignorance at the time of which I speak seems to me now very shameful； but I was merely in the case of ordinary people； whether living in town or country。 How many could give the familiar name of half a dozen plants plucked at random from beneath the hedge in springtime？ To me the flowers became symbolical of a great release； of a wonderful awakening。 My eyes had all at once been opened； till then I had walked in darkness； yet knew it not。
Well do I remember the rambles of that springtide。 I had a lodging