A BROADLAXD BRIDGE. 



APRIL IN BROADLAND. 



' Beneath a willow, long forsook, 

 The fisher seeks his customed nook; 

 And bursting through the crackling sedge, 



He startles from the bordering wood 



The bashful wild-duck's early brood.' Wartnn. 



HE days of mingled shower and sunshine have dawned upon peaceful 

 Broadland. Lured by the warmer days of an April sun and the refresh- 

 ing raindrops, nature has assumed a pleasant smile. The pale young 

 leaves are everywhere eagerly unfolding their beauties, and the joyous 

 birds are making the countryside merry with glad song, above them 

 all, towering heavenwards, the skylark pours out the fulness of its little 

 heart in praise to its Creator. l All Thy works praise Thee ! ' 



The clank of the bit is still heard in the fields, for Farmer Griles and his good 

 man Hodge have not yet completed their sowing of the seed for the winter crops, 

 and it is pleasant to hear the cheery '- Who-oaf of the ploughman as he rests for 

 a moment the panting horses, while he runs his eye with justifiable pride up the 

 straight, clean-cut furrow he has just turned over. We can excuse his self-con- 

 gratulatory remark l Th' Prince o' Wales couldn't cut a furrer claner if he tried, 



We have reached Broadland to-day by road, for what can be more delightful 

 than a country drive when the hedgerows are putting on their bright new vesture, 

 and the wild-flowers are peering out from their mossy nooks beneath them, and 

 the little birds are playing at hide-and-seek in the thickening foliage, preparatory 

 to settling down to the sterner duties of domestic life? It has been a glorious 



