102 AUTUMNAL LEAVES. 



Nearer, but in the same direction, are the houses, 

 outbuildings and adjacent cornstacks of the home- 

 stead we have lately passed lying together in a 

 picturesque group. In front of us are meadow, 

 corn stubble, hedge and tree. In the nearest 

 meadow a group of cattle are taking their noon- 

 day rest, whilst, far away beyond, the horizon is 

 bounded by woods. 



We soon pass through the small village of 

 Blashford, a little pastoral and agricultural region 

 with its patches of wayside green starred with the 

 golden blossoms of the Hawkweed and its farm 

 and cottage enclosures of flower and fruit gar- 

 dens the familiar Elm being especially scattered 

 about in hedgerow and meadow. We bend round 

 by the left, cross a little bridge spanning a mill 

 stream, follow our road under the shadows of 

 Elm and Ash and emerge from these in a few 

 minutes by a wide space of green on the left-hand 

 side of the way. For some distance trees again 

 on either hand Ash varying from time to time 

 the familiar Elm shut out the prospect of the 

 surrounding country except where a peep can be 

 had through meadow gates. Presently we enter 



