THE GRANARIES. 29 



ing out at the opposite doors, is separated from 

 the sides, called bays, by planks or rails, a few 

 feet high. In the bays the corn is stacked, 

 ready for threshing. A small granary is inclos- 

 ed in one corner of this barn. 



As to the principal granary, I remember 

 trying to shew my wisdom once, by saying that 

 it was nonsense to set it upon legs, and make 

 men ascend with heavy sacks on step-ladders. 

 The twelve stone pillars on which it stands 

 have each a projecting cap, like a mushroom 

 top ; at which I also laughed, as being utterly 

 useless, till my uncle told me he thought / had 

 a mushroom top, not to know that granaries 

 were so built to keep a floor free from wet; 

 and that the pillars were capped to prevent 

 rats and mice from climbing into the place, 

 where they would be glad enough to obtain 

 board and lodging. The granary has sun- 



