William Winter

Gray Days and Gold in England and Scotland William Winter

ondon, June 29, 1888.-The poet Emerson'sinjunction, "Set not thy foot on graves," is wise and right;and being in merry England in the month of June itcertainly is your own fault if you do not fulfil the rest ofthe philosophical commandment and "Hear what wineand roses say." Yet the history of England is largelywritten in her ancient churches and crumbling ruins, andthe pilgrim to historic and literary shrines in this countrywill find it difficult to avoid setting his foot on graves. Itis possible here, as elsewhere, to live entirely in thepresent; but to certain temperaments and in certainmoods the temptation is irresistible to live mostly in thepast.