70 AN AMERICAN FARMER IN ENGLAND. 



roses and closely-shaven turf, to the top of the bridge over the 

 cutting. 



There we were right in the midst of it ! The country and 

 such a country ! green, dripping, glistening, gorgeous ! We 

 stood dumb-stricken by its loveliness, as, from the bleak April 

 and bare boughs we had left at home, broke upon us that English 

 May sunny, leafy, blooming May in an English lane ; with 

 hedges, English hedges, hawthorn hedges, all in blossom ; homely 

 old farm-houses, quaint stables, and haystacks ; the old church 

 spire over the distant trees ; the mild sun beaming through the 

 watery atmosphere, and all so quiet the only sounds the hum 

 of bees, and the crisp grass-tearing of a silken-skinned, real (un- 

 imported) Hereford cow, over the hedge. 



No longer excited by daring to think we should see it, as we 

 discussed the scheme round the old home-fire; no longer cheering 

 ourselves with it in the stupid, tedious ship ; no more forgetful 

 of it in the bewilderment of the busy town but there we were, 

 right in the midst of it ; long tune silent, and then speaking softly, 

 as if it were enchantment indeed, we gazed upon it and breathed 

 it never to be forgotten. Ah, me ! 



At length we walked on rapidly but frequently stopping, 

 one side and the other, like children in a garden ; hedges still, 

 with delicious fragrance, on each side of us, and on, as far as we 

 can see, true farm-fencing hedges ; nothing trim, stiff, nice, and 

 amateur-like, but the verdure broken, tufty, lovr, and natural. 

 They are set on a ridge of earth, thrown out from a ditch beside 

 them, which raises and strengthens them as a fence. They are 

 nearly all hawthorn, which is now covered in patches, as if 

 after a slight fall of snow, with clusters of white or pink blossoms 

 over its light green foliage. Here and there a holly bush, with 

 bunches of scarlet berries, and a few other shrubs, mingle with it. 

 A cart meets us a real heavy, big-wheeled English cart ; and 



