DUTCH BARNS, A POLITE GROOM. 167 



The hay was partly stored under slate roofs, supported by 

 four strong stone columns, the sides open. This plan differs 

 from the hay barracks, common where the Dutch settled in 

 America, in which the roof, thatched or boarded, is attached 

 to posts in such a way that it can be easily set up or down, 

 and adjusted to the quantity of hay under it. These erections 

 are here called Dutch barns. Nutting thought hay was pre 

 served in them better than in any way he knew, and this has 

 been my opinion of that from our barracks. Close barns he 

 particularly objected to. Probably hay suffers more in them 

 here than it does in America. 



After showing us all about the farmery, he walked on with 

 us to a shady pasture by the river side, where was a herd of 

 fine mares. We sat here under an old elm for some time, 

 looking at them as they clustered around us, and talking with 

 him about the agriculture of the district. He was so easily 

 good-natured, and conversed so freely, asking as well as an 

 swering questions, that we were greatly puzzled to tell 

 whether he expected a fee, or would be offended by our offer- 

 ing it. At length, when he was about to leave, we frankly 

 stated our difficulty, explaining that we were foreigners, and 

 not familiar with the English customs on such occasions. He 

 answered pleasantly, that he was always glad of a chance to 

 converse with gentlemen on such subjects as we appeared to 

 be interested in ; if they liked to give him something he did 

 not refuse it, but he did not wish any thing from us. We 

 assured him that we were much indebted to him, and begged 

 that he would not make an exception of us, handing him a 

 half crown, which he dropped into his pocket without looking 

 at it or thanking us, but politely replying that he considered 

 himself fortunate in having met us. He then said he would 

 walk on a little further to direct us on a path much pleas- 

 anter than the regular travel, and from which we might see 



