I INTRODUCTION 13 
by lawns and parks, meadows and wooded 
banks, dotted with country houses and crowned 
by Windsor Castle itself (see Illustration). 
By many Scotland is considered even more 
beautiful. 
And yet too many of us see nothing in the 
fields but sacks of wheat, in the meadows but 
trusses of hay, and in woods but planks for 
houses, or cover for game. Even from this 
more prosaic point of view, how much there 
is to wonder at and admire, in the wonderful 
chemistry which changes grass and leaves, 
flowers and seeds, into bread and milk, eggs 
and cream, butter and honey! 
Almost everything, says Hamerton, “that 
the Peasant does, is lifted above vulgarity 
by ancient, and often sacred, associations.” 
There is, indeed, hardly any business or occu- 
pation with reference to which the same might 
not be said. The triviality or vulgarity does 
not depend on what we do, but on the spirit 
in which it isdone. Not only the regular pro- 
fessions, but every useful occupation in life, 
however humble, is honourable in itself, and 
may be pursued with dignity and peace. 
