CHAPTER V. 



DOWN A GREEN LANE ! 



OWN a green lane ! But wha.t a 

 lane ! Words can but meagrely 

 convey an impression of its 

 charms. Nor could the most 

 skilful artist, with the rarest com- 

 bination of colours which art can 

 produce, give a faithful representation of 

 the glorious tints and of the unrivalled 

 gracefulness of the Ferns which revel 

 there in all their native luxuriance. But 

 how to reach this lane ? 



We make a steep ascent along an upland road 

 a mile in length ; an ascent so long and so steep, 

 that could we make it without pausing, we should 

 stop at the summit to recover our breath. But 



