358 HOME LIFE. [1891. 



are ranged side by side, showing the close resemblance 

 of many to the plateau implements, and thus telling 

 their own tale. 



It is usual to regard old age as the season of rest 

 from labour. Yet, although in his eightieth year, 

 Joseph Prestwich was now, with undiminished mental 

 vigour, preparing to continue his series of papers, 

 Glacial and Post-Glacial. Never were the declining 

 years of life more . thoroughly enjoyed. In a note 

 written in May of this year, he remarks, " I am 

 revelling in the unwonted leisure for my own work." 

 At intervals during the day he was to be seen among 

 the little larch plantations, or in the grove of labur- 

 nums on the hill sometimes with lengths of white 

 tape in his hand marking trees to be transplanted 

 (there was no end to that process), or using his pruning- 

 knife to some protrusive branch. But his favourite 

 garden-implement was a short French saw, which was 

 often in his hand for trimming the young trees and 

 for keeping clear the vistas down into the valley. 

 How he dwelt upon the varying aspects of Nature ! 

 No two days alike loveliest in the sunshine of a 

 summer morning, when hills and valley were veiled 

 in luminous haze. " Oh, I am so happy ! " was his 

 exclamation, made with glistening eyes. " Sometimes 

 I feel as if I were too happy ! " He was not a man 

 of many words, and we believe that in his heart he 

 gave thanks to God. In addition to visits from the 

 Russell Scott children, he had the added delight of 

 seeing other little relatives the grandchildren of his 

 sister Mrs Thurburn, who with their parents, Mr and 

 Mrs Seymour Rouquette, had gone to live at Sevenoaks, 

 and who occasionally came over for a day in the garden. 

 And the little Bullens from the Vicarage were especially 



