THE EERN PARADISE. 



The view will well repay a look, for a charming 

 sight is spread out below hill-side and valley, 

 town and river. 



Upwards narrowing as it goes winds the 

 lane. And now, for a moment, the bright valley 

 which we have left below us is forgotten in the 

 new sight which refreshes the eye. Hitherto the 

 sunlight has shone upon the path ; but here our 

 lane becomes suddenly darkened as it creeps 

 under the shadow of higher hedge-banks, and of 

 overhanging trees. Just one glance through a 

 breach in the shady mound which helps to shut 

 out the sunshine, and the eye will catch a lovely 

 glimpse of the hill-side sloping down into the 

 valley below. The bright peep charmingly con- 

 trasts with the dark depths of the lane. But in 

 this dark and cool retreat Fern-life is predomi- 

 nant. 



On the right the thick hedge-bank is covered 

 with an almost impenetrable mass of bushes, which 

 rise high above its top, shedding upon it the dim- 

 ness of evening twilight. Growing out against 

 the dark background of bushes are some luxuriant 

 specimens of the Common Hartstongue (Scolo- 



80 



