J.S. Chase

J.S. Chase

" ... a haunting that lasts for life. "

1st, June, 2018
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Desert Trails
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From the grand Introduction to California Desert Trails, Chase's survey finds
him listing a bit, as he reveals to us, what we may instinctively know but never
pondered; that the desert, in essence, is a contradiction. He shares this with us
after, " consideration, and in the light of other's experience. " His is a sober and
 unsentimental sizing up; and instinctively, we get it. Chase is saying, I believe,
 that this attraction, that he and us feel, of the desert, is a bit strange; yet, " enduring "
and " subtly captive. " He concludes that, " there is something haunting in it. "

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photo by J. Smeaton Chase

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" ...It is in its essence a contradiction. The desert is the opposite
of all that we naturally find pleasing. Yet I believe that its hold
upon those who have once fallen under its spell is deeper and
more enduring than is the charm of the forest or sea or mountain.
This must seem a strange statement to make, but I make it with 
consideration and in the light of others experience besides my own.

The beauty of great woodlands, the mystical solemnity of the sea,
the power and glory of mountains - right well we love all these:
yet somehow that pale, grave face of the desert, if once you look 
long upon it, takes you more subtly captive and keeps you enchained
by a stronger bond. 

It is as if you were bemused by the gaze of a sorceress: or had listened
over long to some witching, monotonous strain: or had pondered too
deeply on old legends of weirdry or parchments from tombs of strange,
forgotten lands.

Certainly it is not love, in any degree, that one feels for the desert, 
nor could any other single term convey the sentiment. But whatever
it is, there is something haunting in it and it is a haunting that lasts
for life. "

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*** The photograph in this post by Chase came from the above
            volume, " The Desert " by John C. Van Dyke. Chase suggested,
          and brokered a deal with Scribner's to provide the photos for
          a new edition of Van Dyke's book. According to Peter Wild,
             Scribner's haggled with Chase over the price. Chase received a mere
            $100 for the photos! As Wild points out, the effort that it took Chase
       to make the photos at that time, made the deal one to Scribner's
advantage, not Chase's.  But we are glad to have them. ***
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