THE CHARM OF SOLITUDE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1598, 31 July 1874, Page 305

THE CHARM OF SOLITUDE.

Not even Zimmerman, in his “ Pleasures of Solitude,” nor yet Cowper, in the poem “ I am Monarch of all I Survey,” can claim to have developed one point of attraction in Robinson Crusoe's lonely life so fully as has been done by the author of the following lines, part of an ode upon the losses and miseries of umbrella-owners in American cities. The writer must have lately lost a ten-dollar silk:— R. Crusoe, on liis solitary isle Was no doubt lonely, and, it may bo, sad; When lie cracked jokes there were none by to smile, And none to sympathise when he felt bad ; But yet he had tins glorious consolation, His parachute was free from confiscation! He could roam round Ins island at his will, And take his parachute, or leave it at home; He knew that where he left it, it would still Remain there until he had ceased to roam. Thrice happy man! 0 doubly blessed R. Crusoe 1 Who among ns in cities dares to do so P The writer of the above was particularly aggrieved that it was wet weather when he was bereaved of his umbrella. He says Oh, why not take it on some pleasant day, When in the zenith Sol Was shining brightly ? At such a time 1 would not say him nay, Not missing it, its loss would grieve me slightly. As W. Shakespeare said, in language terse, “ Who’s robbed, not knowing it, is nothing worse.”