I INTRODUCTION 13 



by lawns and parks, meadows and wooded 

 banks, dotted with country houses and crowned 

 by Windsor Castle itself (see Frontispiece). 

 By many Scotland is considered even more 

 beautiful. 



And yet too many of us see nothing in the 

 fields but sacks of wheat, in the meadows but 

 trusses of hay, and in woods but planks for 

 houses, or cover for game. Even from this 

 more prosaic point of view, how much there 

 is to wonder at and admire, in the wonderful 

 chemistry which changes grass and leaves, 

 flowers and seeds, into bread and milk, eggs 

 and cream, butter and honey ! 



Almost everything, says Hamerton, "that 

 the Peasant does, is lifted above vulgarity 

 by ancient, and often sacred, associations." 

 There is, indeed, hardly any business or occu- 

 pation with reference to which the same might 

 not be said. The triviality or vulgarity does 

 not depend on what we do, but on the spirit 

 in which it is done. Not only the regular pro- 

 fessions, but every useful occupation in life, 

 however humble, is honourable in itself, and 

 may be pursued with dignity and peace. 



