[Illustration: JOHN KEATS.
Painted by Joseph Severn.
_From a photograph, copyright by Hollyer, London._]
COMPANIONABLE
BOOKS
BY
HENRY VAN DYKE
_“What is this reading, which I must learn,” asked Adam, “and
what is it like?”_
_“It is something beyond gardening,” answered Raphael, “and at
times you will find it a heavy task. But at its best it will
be like listening through your eyes; and you shall hear the
flowers laugh, the trees talk, and the stars sing.”_