ICO " THE GOOD TIME " COME AT LAST. 



I noticed its effect on others. Her little Majesty — God bless her ! — had she 

 been passing, I could not have closed my throat. The music was in my 

 heart, and it wanted vent. I gave it con exprezzione. 



There was passing, at the time of my final effort, a wagon and a team of 

 horses. On one of these, sat a smiling old weather-beaten labourer, who, 

 whip in hand, and enjoying, evidently, the rays of sunshine reflected by the 

 gi-ass, thus saluted me : "Ah, master, this is a day ! You can sing on a day 

 like this, — can't you ?" I impressively looked " yes !" to this simple, artless, 

 honest question. And I am not quite sure whether I have not been rather 

 proud of my vocal powers ever since ! 



But I must now take my leave. The season before us is so very grand ; 

 the temptations to wander in Nature's garden are so overpoweringly seduc- 

 tive; and the good to be derived therefrom is so undeniably great, — that I 

 hope I have assisted in animating many a heart to go forth and judge for 

 themselves. When we keep good company, we must be good also. I always 

 shudder, when fashion resumes her despotic sway over those to whom, for a 

 short season, she has bade adieu ! Alas ! she well knows when to calculate 

 upon their return. 



How soon what is really good passes away, when that which gave rise to 

 a noble sentiment is beheld no longer ! I wish I could have my way in this 

 matter, and be allowed to hold forth, viva voce, for a few short hours, to those 

 who px-efer the shade of life to its substance. If they did not do as I said, 

 they should, at all events, acknowledge, before parting, that my arguments 

 were sound. And who knows Avhether a per centage might not be obtained ? 

 A single convert to Nature is surely worth a year of toil. 



Before closing this despatch, let me for a single instant glance at the 

 present grand aspect of the country. Our dear, good mother, — God bless 

 her! — has been, for some days past, weeping. Such tears of joy has she let 

 fall, that her children, one and all, have sympathised with her most lovingly. 

 The hills rejoice ; the valleys shout and sing. All things, everywhere, are 

 lavishly plentiful and surpassingly lovely. The smiles and tears of Nature, 

 during the last forty-eight hours, have made my heart fresher than a child's. 

 May all your readers, then, join me feelingly in exclaiming, — " Glory be to 

 THEE, O God ! " 



New Road, Hammersmith, June 16. 



