236 A FARMER'S YEAR 



however, do not in the least disturb the old thrush, which goes on 

 worming without even taking the trouble to look up. 



Presently a squirrel arrives, and with an increased energy 

 the swallows transfer their attentions to him, possibly under the 

 impression that he is a cat or a weasel. The squirrel, not having 

 the nerve of the thrush, bolts as hard as he can go, and takes 

 refuge in a yew fence, where he vanishes. Next, a bullfinch 

 comes and, perching on the stalk of a flowering weed that bends 

 beneath his weight, picks off the buds one by one with the most 

 astonishing rapidity, and, to all appearance, for sheer mischief. 

 It is easy to see why gardeners dislike these birds so much. 

 After the bullfinch appear a pair of water-wagtails, that for 

 many years have nested near the garden door, and progress across 

 the lawn with quick little runs, of which the objective is, I presume, 

 a fly. On the gravel path two sparrows are fighting violently, 

 and in the beech tree beyond a wood-pigeon coos till its mate 

 comes sailing majestically through the air to settle at its side. But 

 the list is almost endless, so here I will close the count. 



To-day I heard that the clergyman in a parish where I have 

 property has become involved in a controversy over the body of 

 a parishioner. The case, as reported in the paper, is that my 

 friend the clergyman refused to read the Burial Service over the 

 deceased parishioner, on the ground that his conduct while in life 

 had been notoriously immoral. Ultimately, I believe, this office 

 was performed by a Nonconformist minister. I have no doubt, 

 from what I know of the able and earnest clergyman in question, 

 that according to the facts he was right in his decision. Yet the 

 precedent seems dangerous. Supposing, however, that I am 

 wrong on this point, ought not the deceased to have a fair trial ? 

 The ancient Egyptians, a people whose wisdom had mellowed 

 through thousands of years of experience, formed an especially con- 

 stituted court to try such cases. The dead man had his advocate, 

 and Set, or the Devil, had his advocate, and, until the ordeal 

 became a mere religious form, the thing was thrashed out before 

 a competent jury. But here there are no advocates and no jury ; 



