MR HARDY ON BOWLING. 67 



dulgod in, the sole remaining available resource, so that mirth might 

 have no pause, and conscience no throb, was with rural games to " phiy 

 down the sotting sun." 



There was, however, " a change, an evil time was come." The di- 

 vision of the commons deprived their animals of provender, the estab- 

 lishment of a coast-guard extirpated their traffic, while the extension 

 of the farms engulfed their little all. They were thus compelled, in the 

 destruction of all that fostered them, and in the decay of all that invete- 

 rate usage had endeared, to forego the idle habits of their prime, and 

 to adopt modes of support more consonant to a regular calling. Some 

 by a silent'acquiesccnce participated in the movement by which society 

 was impelled forward; and the steady demands for labour rendered 

 their co-operation necessary ; others disturbed from their " old hereditary 

 nooks," by the pi'ying and unwelcome intrusion of innovation, removed 

 to more congenial localities, where yet lingered vestiges of 

 " Auburn, loveliest village of the plain." 



In a similar manner, but in a degree still more intense, the change 

 affected the agricultural population, among whom it originated, shatter- 

 ing the bonds of old habits, and quickening the springs of activity and 

 energy anew. The apathy and indolence which at former times nulli- 

 fied and impeded attempts at advancement, were shaken off, and a course 

 of severer, but not unmitigated toil, adopted, even in its urgency auspi- 

 cious to the higher interests of humanity ; and though not productive 

 of the amount of festivity enjoyed by primeval tillers of the soil, re- 

 warded in numerous instances with comforts and conveniences to them 

 unknown. The mind of the master too is on the stretch from the be- 

 ginning of the year to its end, and the intervals of repose glimmering 

 dim and distant, like the straggling stars of the twilight, are more fre- 

 quently spent in the bosom of his family, or with not abated cheerful- 

 ness, in the pursuit of gratifications of a more refined and intellectual 

 character, than in the rough, rustic strifes and feats of his progenitors. 

 The public mind, borne on by the current of innovation and improve- 

 ment, has rapidly resigned and left behind, whatever of futile or trivial 

 importance, in its former state, might shackle the exercise of its facul- 

 ties, in circumstances hitherto inexperienced. Such, in particular, has 

 been the fate of the holiday frolics, merry-makings and sports, with 

 which, in former times, the swain endeavoured to ** lighten every 

 task." In some instances, as cock-fighting and bull-baiting, they have 

 fallen under the ban of outraged humanity. Others have violated en- 



