WILD LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 103 



(according to the season), wrapped up in a coloured 

 handkerchief, as a present. 



Some of the older shepherds still wear the ancient 

 blue smockfrock, crossed with white " facings " like 

 coarse lace ; but the rising generation use the great- 

 coat of modern make, at which their forefathers would 

 have laughed as utterly useless in the rainstorms 

 that blow across the open hills. Among the elder 

 men, too, may be found a few of the huge umbrellas 

 of a former age, which when spread give as much shel- 

 ter as a small tent. It is curious that they rarely use 

 an umbrella in the field, even when simply standing 

 about ; but if they go a short journey along the 

 highway, then they take it with them. The aged 

 men sling these great umbrellas over the shoulder 

 with a piece of tar cord, just as a soldier slings his 

 musket, and so have both hands free one to stump 

 along with a stout stick, and the other to carry 

 a flag basket. The stick is always too lengthy to 

 walk with as men use it in cities, carrying it by 

 the knob or handle ; it is a staff rather than a stick, 

 the upper end projecting six or eight inches above the 

 hand. 



If a.ny labourers deserve to be paid well, it is the 

 shepiierds : upon their knowledge and fidelity the 

 principal profit of a whole season depends on so many 

 farms. On the bleak hills in lambing time the greatest 

 care is necessary ; and the fold, situated in a hollow 

 if possible, with the down rising on the east or north, 

 is built as it were of straw walls, thick and warm, 



