HIND-HUNTING. 197 



prevail in large towns, that it seems like 

 another country altogether. Nor is it a 

 superficial courtesy, but backed by a real 

 willingness to oblige. Any one with an in- 

 terest in sport, antiquities, old china, old 

 furniture, finds not the least difficulty in his 

 way, but can satisfy his curiosity to the full. 



As an instance of the real goodwill that 

 subsists under the outward politeness may 

 be mentioned the bees at sheep-shearing 

 time. The farmers and farmers' sons at 

 that season visit each farm in succession 

 twenty, thirty, or more of them together 

 sit down in the barn and shear the sheep. 

 It is a regular bee, on the American pattern, 

 or rather the adventurers from Westward 

 Ho! carried the custom with them across 

 the Atlantic. A farmer who would not assist 

 his neighbour at such a time and join the 

 party would be regarded as a churl; but, as 

 a matter of fact, none ever do refuse. 



