x PREFACE. 



at all times of the day, but mostly before and 

 alter business hours, when summer mists hung low 

 over the land at sunrise and the birds were mad with 

 joy, when the light of a glorious day was dying 

 in the ruddy west, and innumerable insects were 

 droning back and forth through the balmy air; 

 and I can only hope that its readers may taste some 

 of the joy and peace that Nature has ever given 

 to me and is freely offering to all men. 



RICHARD KEARTOX. 

 CATEKHAM VALLEY, 



SURREY. 

 Nov., 1898. 



