SONG. 201 



surface of each. This crust appeared about the thickness and 

 strength of the ice which would form a small sheet of water after a 

 smart night's frost. This crust having broken and detached from 

 the sides, immediately sunk in the syrop ; the four was then closed, 

 and the stoves heated to the utmost. This process was repeated 

 until nearly the whole of the contents of each pan was crystallized, 

 and but a small portion of the syrop remained. The contents of the 

 different boxes were placed in hair-bags and put in a press 

 worked as before. That which remains in the bags is sugar, and 

 only requires the ordinary process of rolling and breaking to be ren- 

 dered fit for sale. The liquid which runs from the press on this 

 latter occasion, passes into a reservoir placed for the purpose, and is, 

 after a little preparation, disposed of as molasses. The sugar thus 

 made is sold at an average of from five to six francs a-pound, and the 

 molasses sold at from twelve sous to twenty sous per pound. But 

 this is not the sole advantage derived from the beet-root. The pulp 

 after the juice is squeezed from it by the press, is boiled for some 

 time, and all remaining strength extracted as far as possible. It is 

 then used as food for cattle, and is considered nutritive. The whole 

 of the refuse of the juice, sugar, and molasses, is then fermented and 

 distilled, and a very pleasing spirit is extracted from it. Had time 

 been given to carry this manufacture into full effect, there is little 

 doubt but the improvement in machinery, and the observance of that 

 economy for which there was ample scope, would have rendered it in 

 the course of a reasonable period a most profitable speculation. But 

 Mr. Ledrew's prospects were blighted almost in the outset. In the 

 early part of January, 1814, an alarm was given that the Russians 

 were about to cross the frontier ; all appeared to Mr. Ledrew to be 

 lost, and the unfortunate man in a fit of desperation blew his brains 

 out, and thus ended the speculation. 



SONG. 



CHORUS. 



MEET me, love, where streamlets stray, 

 To the green leaves singing, 



And the star-lit dews betray, 

 Where each flower is springing. 



When the partridge on the hill, 



To his mate is calling, 

 Where, in sparkling spray the rill 



O'er the cl iff is falling. 



Meet me love, &c. 



When the distant abbey-bell 

 Down the breeze is dying, 



When the shadows o'er the dell 



From the hills are flying. 

 M.M. No. 2. D ' 



