IN THE MIDLANDS. 89 



chance will the Ouse ever be taken into custody for brawling 

 or riotous behaviour. When the rains descend and the 

 floods come the Ouse swells, muddens, and overspreads the 

 meadows in a methodical manner, doing its overflowing with 

 dismal thoroughness, but conducting itself with persistent 

 respectability, under circumstances which would warrant 

 any other river in roaring and trampling over all that lay in 

 its way. 



In summer and in winter, going to Ouse-side with a pocket 

 edition of Cowper in my pocket, I have, when sport failed, 

 beguiled the time by following his minute observations of 

 the scenery. I could give you the address of that boy of 

 freedom of whom it is written : 



" To snare the mole, or with ill-fashioned hook 

 To draw the incautious minnow from the brook, 

 Are life's prime pleasures in his simple view, 

 His flock the chief concern he ever knew." 



The young rascal will get you a can of gudgeons for a 

 consideration, and forsake his flock to accompany you on 

 your piscatorial wanderings in the fields. And as you 

 wander you shall be ever and anon reminded of the river's 

 poet. By Sandy I have met that " reeking, roaring hero of 

 the chase " who hunts that part of the world to this day. 

 The little inn where you stay has its "creaking country 

 sign," and "ducks paddle in the pond before the door." 

 On every side " laughs the land with various plenty crowned.' 1 

 Many is the time when, smoking "the pipe with solemn 

 interposing puff," I have stood "ankle deep in moss and 

 flowery thyme," or taken shelter from showers under " rough 

 elm, or smooth-grained ash or glossy beech," and in the 

 absence of luck have returned " at noon to billiards or to 



