Last Thursday, our group had the privilege of visiting the home and farmland once owned by Beatrix Potter, an English author, illustrator, natural scientist and conservationist best known for her children’s book The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Her artistic and literary interests were deeply influenced by fairies, fairy tales and fantasy, and she was also interested in the natural sciences. Potter enjoyed collecting fossils, studying archeological artifacts from London excavations, and was drawn to the field of mycology. Potter supported efforts of the National Trust to preserve not just places of extraordinary natural beauty. When Potter passed away in 1943, she left nearly all her property to the National Trust, including over 4,000 acres of land, sixteen farms, cottages and herds of cattle and sheep. Her gift to the National Trust enabled the preservation of the lands now included in the Lake District National Park--a green, idyllic area of Northwest England.
Potter’s small, homey cottage fits right in with the national park’s rolling hills and breathtaking, unaffected beauty. Her home is refreshingly cheerful — its front door opening up to a quaint garden of wildflowers and vegetables, and the interior is preserved exactly as she had left it so many years ago. While meandering through the author’s living space, I was captivated by the many physical examples of Potter’s personality and interests. It became obvious that Potter had a childish enthusiasm for life, as shown by the set of dolls in one room, the many miniature glass animals in another, and a dollhouse in yet another. Her ability to be a respectful observer was made evident
through the intricate drawings of insects and a looking glass left out on her desk.
Potter seemed to have created a joyful life for herself by exercising her imagination and also an appreciation of her natural surroundings. It seems that despite some of the challenges present in her personal life, such as the death of a fiancĂ© and a sometimes turbulent relationship with her parents, she was still able to maintain a diligent work ethic and to care for our environment and for those who want to enjoy it for years to come. The striking natural scenery surrounding Potter’s house, as well as the charming simplicity of the house itself, is a reminder to stop and take a look around — to imagine the slower pace of life for those inhabiting the English countryside, and to feel inspired to take in elements of my own natural surroundings at home and to allow these to inform my own writing and life as a whole.
No comments:
Post a Comment