the
midday sun
The painter , he thought , had raised his studio by a story to get better light , and thus far he had only been in the right . Mynheer van Baerle was a painter , as Mynheer Boxtel was a tulip-grower ; he wanted somewhat more sun for his paintings , and he took half a degree from his neighbour 's tulips . The law was for Van Baerle , and Boxtel had to abide by it . Besides , Isaac had made the discovery that too much sun was injurious to tulips , and that this flower grew quicker , and had a better colouring , with the temperate warmth of morning , than with the powerful heat of the midday sun . He therefore felt almost grateful to Cornelius van Baerle for having given him a screen gratis . Maybe this was not quite in accordance with the true state of things in general , and of Isaac Boxtel 's feelings in particular . It is certainly astonishing what rich comfort great minds , in the midst of momentous catastrophes , will derive from the consolations of philosophy .