/ 6 THE CHRONICLES OF A GARDEN. 



warm enough to allow of what may be classed as one of 

 the chief pleasures of summer in the garden, I mean sitting- 

 out of doors, or rather, living as much as possible in the 

 open air. It is not merely when actually at work in the 

 garden that this pleasure may be enjoyed ; but reading, 

 sewing, and even writing may be carried on out of doors, 

 and much quiet enjoyment derived from doing so. I have 

 often wondered why people so seldom avail themselves of 

 this luxury ; they will live year after year in the country 

 and never go out except for a walk or a drive, — scarcely 

 even for that dehcious indulgence, a saunter, will they 

 move from indoors work or idleness. It must be admitted 

 that one great charm of sitting or sauntering out of doors 

 is, the idleness that yet feels like doing something, and 

 that it is not always easy to think or read steadily in the 

 open air ; but for all the usual occupations that w^e call 

 work, there are few more enjoyable sitting-rooms than the 

 grassy shade under a large tree, and very little practice 

 will enable any one to carry on many indoor occupations 

 in the pleasure grounds. 



No doubt it is still more delightful to sit out of doors 

 and fix our tent among the rocks of the sea-shore, or on 

 the thymy side of a hill, among the boulders, or on a fallen 

 trunk of a tree in the deep, cool shade of a Vv'ood, with a 

 burn rippling at our feet ; but we have not always in our 

 power to luxuriate in such situations, and it is wise and 

 well to be content with such things as we have, and to 

 enjoy the common blessings that lie at our doors. If you 

 have but one tree, have a seat under it, — if you have none, 



