The Merry Past 



to make, it had acquired from the public the name 

 of the Wilderness. What had been St. Evremond's 

 House was inhabited by an old man and woman, 

 whose business was to take care of it, as well as the 

 grounds, and what live stock still existed. 



In the bend of the moat nearest the house a punt 

 was stationed, and on the opposite shore was a post to 

 which a bell-wire was fixed. Anyone who wished to 

 see the place rang the bell, when the old man would 

 appear and punt the visitors over into the Wilderness, 

 through which they rambled at pleasure till they 

 were tired, and then they were punted back again to 

 refresh themselves where they could, because no 

 refreshments were to be had in the Wilderness. 

 Those, however, who knew the secrets of the place took 

 tea, and everything that was necessary for the tea- 

 table, but china and hot water ; these were supplied 

 by the Charon and Hecate of the place, who were not 

 allowed to sell any refreshment. The old couple, 

 however, always provided sufficient hot water, as well 

 as a very decent tea-service and all the attention 

 that was necessary. In return for this, it was the 

 custom for visitors to present them with some 

 adequate present at the moment of departure, and 

 one way and another the old couple did a comfortable 

 trade. 



Such were the last scenes that took place at the 

 spot where the merry Charles and his companions 

 passed so much of their time. 



At the south-west end of the canal was, once, to 

 be found Rosamond's Pond, remarkable, for many 



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