224 nature's holiday. 



divided into two pediments, internally animated by very nimble machinery. 

 At half-past nine precisely, these two moving figures mechanically came into 

 contact. Then was there a right royal greeting between them. Four such 

 hands, and two such hearts, were not long in becoming united. Honesty 

 and Sincerity, — what a happy union ! 



" We met, — 'twas on the green," 



at Shepherd's Bush ; and now behold us confreres for the day. 



Far be it from me to arrogate the power of expressing in words, or 

 minutely detailing the impressions made upon two such ardent lovers of 

 Nature, whilst sauntering along under an azure sky, and feeling themselves 

 in the immediate (but unseen) presence of the Great Creator of Heaven and 

 Earth. Those who are in the secret will understand me. To others I shall 

 speak in parables. If I could impart to the World at large the feelings I 

 hint at, and Avhich are peculiar to all true lovers of Nature at this jubilee of 

 the year, how gladly would I do so ! But who can hope to regenerate the 

 hearts which seek for pleasure in so opposite a direction ? Not I ! Fashion 

 and the love of gold, versus Nature and the love of God. What a conflict ! 



The morning had dawned with one of those grey mists peculiar to the 

 season, and which indicate the gradual development of a fine, enjoyable 

 day. We had provided accordingly. Lightly clad, we were equal to some 

 thirty miles at least. " Where shall we bend our steps ? " said I. " Any 

 where," replied my smiling friend. Oh, how delightful it is, thus to wander 

 at random ! 



Wood-Lane now stood invitingly before us, with its long vista of hill and 

 dale, trees and shrubs, — all animated as far as the eye could reach, by cattle 

 grazing, and heifers frolicking among the stunted bushes and springing 

 grass. Entering this lane, we pursued our way gently forwards, until we 

 reached the celebrated Wormwood Scrubs. Bearing a little to the right, 

 and then again to the left, there lay before us, rising in picturesque beautj', 

 the grand Cemetery of Kensall Green. Thither we progressed, (conversing 

 on all sorts of subjects by the way,) and were soon among the tombs. 



Two philosophers, educated in Nature's simple school, could hardly fail to 

 find in this garden of the departed food for much reflection. There was not 

 much " simplicity " here ! But there was Art in abundance. Oh, the men- 

 dacious epitaphs, and absurd aspirations, that defiled seven-eighths of these 

 head-stones ! And what an endless parade of " Esquires," and lordly titles ! 

 I will not relate our conversation, nor our meditation amongst these tombs. 

 Suffice it that if it was not profitable to others, it was so to ourselves. 



After deploring "the ruling passion strong in death," eveiy where so 

 visibly painted in letters deeply sculptured in stone, 

 " We tnm'd and left the spot" 



The sun was now showing us his lovely face in right good earnest; and 



