110 STUDIES OF NATURE 



roads when there was none to hear. Whenever 

 he is at Corrie his services are at the disposal 

 of the villagers, and he will take no money for 

 hire. His face is grave yet cheerful ; and his 

 garb is that of a man in a much higher station 

 of life. It is impossible to see him without 

 thinking of two figures in our literature : 

 Goldsmith's own sketch of himself 



How often have I led thy sportive choir, 

 With tuneless pipe, beside the murmuring Loire ? 

 And haply, though my harsh touch, faltering still, 

 But mocked all tune, and marr'd the dancer's skill, 

 Yet would the village praise my wondrous power, 

 And dance, forgetful of the noontide hour. 



And Wordsworth's picture of the Pedlar in the 

 ' Excursion ' 



A vagrant Merchant under a heavy load 



Bent as he moves, and needing frequent rest : 



Yet do such travellers find their own delight ; 



And their hard service, deemed debasing now, 



Gained merited respect in simpler times ; 



When squire and priest, and they who round them dwelt 



In rustic sequestration all dependent 



Upon the Pedlar's toil supplied their wants, 



Or pleased their fancies with the wares he brought. 



