CHILDREN AT PLAT. 145 



the water. The usual crop of potatoes in the vicinity he 

 thought about three measures to a rood, or 225 bushels to an 

 acre ; of wheat, 30 bushels. 



We went into a stylish inn to get some refreshment, and 

 while waiting for it, watched some little girls playing in the 

 street. They stood, four, holding hands, dancing and singing 

 round one (&quot; Dobbin&quot;) lying on the ground : 



Old Dobbin is dead, 



Ay, ay; 



Dobbin is dead, 

 He s laid in his bed, 



Ay, ay. 



There let him lie, 



Ay, ay; 



Keep watch for his eye, 

 For if he gets up 

 He ll eat us all UP 



and away they scampered and Dobbin after them. The one 

 he first catches lays down again for &quot; Dobbin,&quot; when it is 

 repeated. (Shown in the cut page 207.) 



The church was a little one side of the village on an ele 

 vation, and so hidden by trees that we could only see a 

 square tower and vane. Near it, we passed a neat stone 

 building, which I thought probably the parsonage, and point 

 ing towards it soon after, asked a man if he knew who lived 

 in it. His reply was, &quot; Why, there s none but poor peoples 

 houses there, sir !&quot; The vicarage he showed us in another 

 direction a fine house in spacious grounds. 



From Eccleston we had a delightful walk in the evening 

 to Chester. There is a good foot-path for miles along the 

 river bank, with gates or stiles at all the fences that run down 

 to it, and we met great numbers of persons, who generally 



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