Viii PREFACE. 



used to frisk my poor Gazelle ; and a stout game-cock 

 seems to preside over all, one or two pert little bantam- 

 cocks absolutely availing themselves of the shadow of 

 his tall, bluff breast as a cool place to crow from. When 

 they crow, the only effect it has on the warrior is, to 

 make him turn his head a little on one side, to look 

 out at the corner of his eye, as if he would say, with 

 the Frenchman, "Est-il pour de rire, ou pour de bon?" 

 A pheasant, a partridge, or a hare, occasionally joins 

 the various groups, and Baron, the deer-dog, will some- 

 times walk through them all, without causing the 

 sliglitest terror or commotion, and, thumped at by 

 the hinder leg of some of the rabbits, in the midst of 

 them claim a quiet corner in the sun. By my side, 

 and watching my pen as it moves, sit two goldfinches, 

 trying to sing down any slight scratching it may 

 make on the paper ; and at my foot a merry starling, 

 who at times in a season is slightly indisposed, but as 

 invariably cured by the administration of a spider. 

 All these creatures know me ; and, to make amends 

 for the war and chase that I carry into other localities, 

 I try to make my lawn and premises a scene of amity 

 and peace. 



There is a general move among the living things 

 from Dingle down to the rabbits ; the move is to- 

 wards the house. The noise of the drawinjj-room win- 

 dow, opening from the ground, is heard, and a run is 

 made by the tamer creatures to their mistress for 

 some food ; the wilder ones sit up and listen, and 

 some draw near to pick up such part of the fare as 

 may be carried by others to a little distance. To me 

 all this is very beautiful; and I feel, and am happy in 

 the idea, that when the nmscle and lithe o' limb have 

 left me, and age comes on, 1 can sit among Pleaven's 



