Downs 



settlers, or however it came about in the process of 

 the years. Probably the trees would grow again were 

 it not for sheep and horses, but these preserve the 

 sward. The plough has nibbled at it and gnawed 

 away great slices, but it extends mile after mile; 

 these are mere touches on its breadth. It is as wild 

 as wild can be without deer or savage beasts. The 

 bees like it, and the finches come. It is silent and 

 peaceful like the sky above. By night the stars 

 shine, not only overhead and in a narrow circle 

 round the zenith, but down to the horizon ; the walls 

 of the sky are built up of them as well as the roof. 

 The sliding meteors go silently over the gleaming 

 surface; silently the planets rise; silently the earth 

 moves to the unfolding east. Sometimes a lunar 

 rainbow appears ; a strange scene at midnight, arching 

 over almost from the zenith down into the dark hollow 

 of the valley. At the first glance it seems white, but 

 presently faint prismatic colours are discerned. 



Already as the summer changes into autumn there 

 are orange specks on the beeches in the copses, and 

 the firs will presently be leafless. Then those who 

 live in the farmsteads placed at long intervals begin 

 to prepare for the possibilities of the winter. There 

 must be a good store of fuel and provisions, for it 

 will be difficult to go down to the villages. The 

 ladies had best add as many new volumes as they 

 can to the bookshelf, for they may be practically 

 imprisoned for weeks together. Wind and rain are 

 very different here from what they are where the 

 bulwark of the houses shelters one side of the street, 

 or the thick hedge protects half the road. The fury 

 of the storm is unchecked, and nothing can keep out 

 the raindrops which come with the velocity of shot. 

 If snow falls, as it does frequently, it does not need 

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