THE RURAL DISTRICTS OF BATH. 155 



Her Royal Highness expressed the gratification which herself and the Prin- 

 cess had derived from their visit to the city, and signified her desire that 

 in future the newly-formed pleasure grounds should be designated "The 

 Eoyal Victoria Park." 



The management of this valuable appendage to Bath is delegated to a 

 committee of gentlemen and tradesmen, who are indefatigable in their care 

 and attention. Protection to the feathered creation is not lost sight of, 

 but notwithstanding the strict surveillance of the Park keepers, rude mis- 

 chievous boys carry on their depredations, and manage to elude detection. 

 Still in the abundance of trees and thick foliage of the evergreens, many 

 of our native songsters who remain with us through the year find shelter, 

 and during the late mild winter the notes of the Thrush were continually 

 heard. But the Naturalist looks for more retired places; so let us leave 

 the Victoria Park to fashionable loungers and pleasure-seekers, and proceed 

 to the parish of Weston. We soon meet the stream of water, which, 

 after leaving the village, flows through a rich dell, and passing under a 

 bridge of one arch, over which is the turnpike road from Bath to Bristol, 

 joins the River Avon, where it is known by the name of "Lock's Brook." 



The windings of this dell to the junction of the brook with the river 

 is to me a favourite resort. Here I have noticed the first appearance of 

 the Swallows, and here also have I observed, but with very different feelings, 

 preparations for the departure of these pleasing companions of our summer 

 rambles. An instance of the latter came under my notice last October; 

 the weather up to that time had been warm for the season, but on that 

 day the chilliness of autumn was sensibly felt, and the leaves of the willows 

 overhanging the river and the brook, dropped in great numbers, and the 

 rapid approach of the shades of evening painfully impressed upon my mind 

 the fact that the sun had left our northern hemisphere, and was journeying 

 south. 



Whilst thus musing upon the pleasures of the happy season just passed, 

 and looking forward to the approaching trials of stern winter, my attention 

 was attracted by the great number of Martins, as they flitted over the 

 river with more than usual animation and chirrupings. "Ah!" thought I, 

 "you happy beings will all very soon be following the glorious luminary 

 into more southern climes, and all this bustle and chattering looks like 

 preparation for the movement." Feeling much interest in the busy scene 

 before me, I lingered upon the banks of the river watching the motions 

 of the birds, remarking their gradual disappearance, and pondering in my 

 mind as to where they could be disposing themselves. Occupied with these 

 thoughts, and looking towards the brook, the trees which overhung the 

 stream seemed to have undergone a complete change, every branch being 

 covered with white spots. No rays of light were visible from any quarter 



