viii PREFACE 



now and then an hour to renew former pleasures 

 among the birds and flowers. If they can give to 

 those similarly situated an occasional impulse to take 

 a walk in the fields or on the hills, their main object 

 will be accomplished. I have only tried to set up 

 a sign-post directing the traveller in a beautiful 

 land ; the words upon it have not been obliterated 

 by flourishes, but I hope they intimate something of 

 the joys to be found. 



G. G. DESMOND. 





