" Inspiration, in any case, is a timid bird... "

23, Jan. , 2018

To continue the theme from the last post, here is another ' gripe '
of our friend Mr. Chase. Although rare, Chase does take
exception, now and again, as below, where he takes umbrage
with careless assignation of place names. While a smidgen tongue-
in-cheek, he insinuates a larger point. The experience one has in
nature is an individual one. No two are the same. One shouldn't
have to comport to some prevalent dogma so that they may
' appropriately ' appreciate the wilderness. I don't really think
Chase is too upset at these monikers, I seem him as issuing
a subtle and prescient warning, and after reading scores
of books on the outdoors, I find it timely. Chase understood 
what the coming modern era would look like, hence his journey's
to see these area's before this encroachment. But with all that
being said, the selection is just fun to read!



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Yosemite Trails

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" The name Inspiration point is hardly less objectionable. That famous spot

gives what is perhaps the most admirable of all the many great views of

this region. No doubt all of us ought to, and most of us do, acquire a certain

amount of inspiration from the inexpressible beauty of the landscape that opens

from this renowned station. But I do not think that it enhances the fine

impression, rather I am sure for my own part that it belittles it, to be notified

that you are expected to be inspired. The old Adam is a perverse rogue, and

resents these instructions, and while it may be to an extent interesting to

know that some worthy gentleman who preceded you experienced 

here certain creditable emotions, it is irritating to have it conveyed in 

the very name of the place that you ought to suffer the same ecstasy.

Inspiration, in any case, is a timid bird, which appears without advertisement

delights not in sign-boards, and the louder it is whistled for is the more apt

to refuse to come. I have heard the spot spoken of by warm and jocular

young gentlemen as Perspiration Point; and although that species of

witticism is, generally speaking, distasteful to me, I find that I suffer

no pang when it is practiced, at the expense of this piece of pedantry. 

Another instance of this obtrusive suggestion occurs in the name of 

Artist's Point. I imagine an artist arriving unexpectedly ( as an artist

should arrive on the scenes of his successes ) at this spot, whence he

sees with rejoicing, a most true and perfect landscape without fear and 

without reproach. Eagerly he seizes upon it and marks it for his own;

and with hasty fingers he prepares the instruments of his craft,

calling upon Winsor and Newton. He sits down and begins those

operations which answer to a preliminary survey in engineering.

Suddenly he perceives close by, an object that looks strangely like

a sign-post. He reconnoiters it in the manner of the woodpecker in

the story: " Looks like a sign post; ugly enough for a sign-post; blamed

if I don't believe it is a sign-post. Hurriedly he rises and approaches it:

it is a sign-post; and it informs him that this is the spot from which,

as a matter of course, artists are expected to paint the valley.

" Good heavens! " he cries, " am I to be Number Four Hundred and

Seventy-three? " and he loathes the stale sweetness like a man who

might discover that his bride had been three times divorced. "

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