Howard Pyle, a chronicle by Charles D. Abbott, with an introduction by N. C. Wyeth and many illustrations from Howard Pyle's works.

HOWARD PYLE: A CHRONICLE
always been very much interested in Natural Physics myself. Lately 1 was reading a little handbook on the subject
of later Astronomy. It is marvelous to what almost supreme heights research has led the modern philosopher. In
description of spectrum analysis of the sun especially one
hung almost breathless, for the speculators touched so close
-so very close upon the true heart of all life that it seemed
as though they must feel the tremor of its beating pulse.
But what is the result? A 'theory' either that the vast tremendous source of our light is kept alive by a dribbling
shower of meteors pouring into it or by shrinkage of its surface!!! One hardly knows whether to laugh or to cry at
such poor, blind, helpless stumbling. So I apprehend it is
with your dreaming philosophers who put on such farsighted
magnifiers to see what is under their very noses as clear
as day and as transparent as truth. Of course you understand that I do not pretend to j udge of such things in the
light of my own ha'-penny dip!
"Very sincerely yours,
"HOWARD PYLE.""
On December 22, i890, Howells had sent a letter inclosing a copy of a dream-paper which he had written, and
stating in the most fervent manner the trying doubts under
which he was laboring. To this Howard Pyle replied:
"'Wilmington, Delaware,
"December 29th, 1 890.
"My dear Friend:
"My not having answered your letter sooner is not upon
account of lack of will or interest. Twice I undertook to
write to you and twice I failed. There is so much that I
[ 182 ]