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The little child is more enthusiastic. He sees the countryside as one huge playground. He builds a dam in the stream, sets up camp in a grove of silver birch, makes a house in the fork of an old willow. He stands on a bridge and waves as the trains pass under his feet and even brings posies of dandelions to his besotted mother. It is those in the next age group who suddenly lack the energy to do more than operate the television remote control buttons.... let them enjoy their books, their tapes, their videos, their friends in a cosy cocoon of adolescence. For the next stage will arrive as unexpectedly as a butterfly. "A group of us are thinking of borrowing a house in the country .... we just want to work and walk and discuss things. The countryside is glorious at this time of the year." Budding Romantics all, they disappear for a week with many books, a little food and fewer clothes. Keats, previously despised, is quoted with approval. Shelley's "To A Skylark" finds a new audience, and the more persevering discover Hardy's Skylark poem, written in homage to Shelley's, which is advocated as being superior to the original. It seems that the best of national anthems may be rolled out once again over our green and pleasant lands "Oh, to be in England (Scotland, Wales) Now that April (May, June)'s there." (It's me again!) While this article is in the context of British experience, the underlying thoughts do ring a bell or two. "Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose" is all very well, but our natural world is being abused and threatened and is in danger of suffering long-term and possibly irrevocable damage in many areas. We have been warned. We can only hope that there will still be unspoilt countryside and wild, natural things to catch our eye an gladden our hearts in the years to come, when further generations of youngsters realise how much better the "real thing" is, and switch off their television sets. Something to Aim At At the beginning of this month the London Library celebrated its first 150 years with a great party attended by over 2,000 of its friends and patrons. The Queen Mother was there and Mrs. Thatcher put in an appearance. That such a celebration could be built around a collection of books clearly adds to the reasons for human optimism. (Sunday Telegraph, May 5, 1991) I fear a party for 2,000 would be a bit beyond our "Friends" today, but who knows what might happen in another 110 years' time! Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 22nd at 7:00 p.m. I'm sorry I won't be with you this month, 'cos I'm off "to be in England now that May/June is there" for three weeks, leaving on May 17th. Tony Scammell Editor