6 



the verge of the common, up which the road led, and 

 which being kept free from trees was reserved for the 

 pasturing of sheep. It was covered with short grass and 

 tufts of wild thyme, round which the bees came hum- 

 ming ; and gay flowers, fcuch as the bee-orchis, and the 

 yellow cistus, the pink-eyed pimpernell, and yellow 

 rocket, grew profusely beside the pathway. From the 

 summit of the hill extended a noble panoramic view of 

 hill and dale. Downward, and far as the eye could 

 reach, a precipitous descent toward the vale countiy was 

 covered with the trees of the old forest, which had gra- 

 dually been curtailed of its extent ; towns and villages 

 varied the plain, through which the river flowed, and the 

 strong castles of Dursley and Berkeley, of Beverstone and 

 Brimpsfield, with their ample hunting-grounds, and the 

 crowding dwellings of those who lived near, were seen at 

 intervals. 



Generations came and went, and successive monarchs 

 filled the English throne, till the time of Harold, when 

 on the battle-field of Hastings his noble patrimony 

 passed into the hands of the proud Norman. Great 

 changes then took place ; strong castles were erected on 

 the site of ancient Saxon fortresses, and while seed-time 

 and harvest did their work, and gradually advanced 

 and retreated, so gradually did the country emerge from 

 out the darkness of past ages, and attain an eminence 

 among the nations of the earth. But as night succeeds 

 to day, and clouds obscure the cheerful light of the bright 



