458 A FARMER'S YEAR 



to mitigate the severity of the economic and other circumstances 

 which afflict country dwellers in Great Britain to such a reasonable 

 extent that those who are fit and industrious can once more be 

 enabled to live in comfort from its fruits ? In this question with 

 its answer lies the secret, and, as I think, the possible solution of 

 most of our agricultural troubles. But to me that answer is a 

 thrice-sealed book. I cannot look into the future or prophesy its 

 developments. Who lives will see ; these things must go as they 

 are fated here I bid them farewell. 



As I write the year is dying. In a few minutes its glass runs 

 out and 1899 must come, the last year but one of an eventful and 

 a wondrous century. With 1898 this humble record of passing 

 thoughts and little things is finished, and it remains only for me 

 to offer my thanks to each reader who has found patience in my 

 company to wander through its devious pages. If any idea, 

 passage or reflection in them has pleased him, I am rewarded ; 

 indeed, to speak truth, the writing of them has brought its own 

 reward, since to me it is a joy to tell day by day of this earth 

 which is at once ' our mother and our monument,' of its fruits and 

 of the creatures that dwell thereon. 



Now, above every time and season, in this moment of mid- 

 night while the world beneath us leaps to the pathway of another 

 year, to Him who, with an equal hand, makes the Star, the Child, 

 and the Corn tc grow, and, their use fulfilled, calls back the energy 

 of life He lent them ; to the Lord of birth and death of spring, 

 of summer, and of harvest, let us make the offering of a thankful 

 spirit for all that we have been spared of ill and all that we have 

 won of good, before we rise up in quietness and confidence to 

 meet the fortune of the days to be. 



THE END 



