MOUNTAIN, STREAM 

 AND COVERT 



CHAPTER I '-' 



Country Life in Literature 



T3ECAUSE of the climate we so naturally abuse, 

 -^ there is no place like England for the pleasures 

 of the country rain and sunshine, snow and frost, 

 bring out a world of beauties in an enchanting variety 

 of landscape. There are lakes and streams that are 

 swarming with fish, in spite of the growth of manu- 

 facturing industries ; game abounds in field, fell, 

 and wood, notwithstanding occasional indifference to 

 preserving it ; and a succession of invigorating sports 

 falls in with the several seasons. It is no amour prof re 

 of patriotism that makes us believe that in these 

 matters we are far better off than our neighbours ; and 

 indeed they are ready to acknowledge it themselves, by 

 cultivating the tastes that are instincts with Englishmen. 

 You have only to cross the Channel to be conscious at 

 once of a change. There is as charming scenery 

 among the orchards of Normandy as any to be found 

 in the hop-gardens of Kent. The granite precipices of 



