THE POETS HOME. 33 



rule and restricted water privileges. Surely 

 the character of the peasantry must suffer. 



PISCATOR. I think it does suffer, but I 

 cannot say to what extent. The northern 

 peasantry are distinguished for their bold and 

 independent bearing, their rough manners and 

 plain talk, and I hope I may add for simple 

 honesty : of the Derbyshire peasantry I know 

 less, and I am not prepared to give an opinion. 

 And now,' having finished our pleasantly pro- 

 tracted meal, let us prepare for our walk. 



PISCATOR. Now we are alone, tell me how 

 you liked our after breakfast walk. 



AMICUS. It more than pleased, it delighted 

 me ; especially Eydal Mount, its house, its 

 gardens, its terraces ; so unpretending, so beau- 

 tiful, everything so well preserved, and I 

 should suppose, unaltered. When you kindly 

 afforded me an opportunity of paying my 

 respects to the revered widow of the poet, I 

 could almost imagine myself in his presence, 

 and realize what Eydal Mount was during his 

 lifetime. 



PISCATOR. Never was there a place so little 



