CH, IV.] An Autumn Walk. 69 



the newly turned earth behind yonder plough. 

 The sun shines, cobwebs are floating through 

 the air and get twisted round one's head, and 

 far and near sounds such as a cart on the 

 high road, a sheep dog barking, a boy singing, 

 birds chirping, insects humming, the patter 

 of our own feet, and the whispering of the 

 brook under the bridge, all form part of a 

 chorus heaven-sent to gladden the heart of 

 man. I have heard tell, Chance, or I have 

 seen it in a book, or I have felt it myself, I 

 don't quite know which, that those who in 

 youth have had such a walk as this, and have 

 heard the music, smelt the perfumes and seen 

 the sights (that is if they were blessed with 

 eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to take 

 in), have never forgotten it. The memory 

 appears for a time to pass away amidst the 

 struggles of life, but it is never dead ; to the 

 soldier in battle, to the statesman in council, 

 or the priest in prayers, to those in sorrow or 



