DAIRY- WORK INCESSANT. 131 



or domestic calamity does not bring any respite ; and 

 that even the sacred hours of the Sabbath witness the 

 same toils. This is certainly an objection, from which 

 most other employments are free. But with respect to 

 the Sabbath, it must be remembered, that the early 

 hour in the morning at which dairy-work is performed, 

 leaves the most important part of the day free for at- 

 tendance on Divine worship, while the evening labours 

 may also be so arranged as not greatly to interfere with 

 the rest, which is the privilege of both master and ser- 

 vant on that sacred day. As to the week-day toil, 

 cheerful labour always brings its own reward ; and even 

 the humblest menial, if he serve a good master, may 

 lead a happy and useful life, and may be able to de- 

 scribe his own condition as a "farmer's boy" once 

 described his, in the following lines : 



* meek, fatherless, and poor : 

 Labour his portion, but he felt no more ; 

 No stripes, no tyranny his steps pursued ; 

 His life was constant, cheerful servitude. 

 Strange to the world, he wore a bashful look ; 

 The fields his study, Nature was his book : 

 And as revolving seasons changed the scene, 

 From heat to cold, tempestuous to serene, 

 Though every change still varied his employ, 

 Yet each new duty brought its share of joy." 



BLOOMFIELD. 



K 2 



