io WITHIN AN HOUR OF LONDON TOWN. 



low, sometimes louder. And now and again these 

 notes seemed to mingle and harmonise with those 

 of the bird. 



On the wall of this home, in the leafy heart of the 

 woodlands, a bunch of sea-weed hung as a weather- 

 gauge ; a few shells picked from the beach orna- 

 mented the mantelshelf; a sea-gull stood in solitary 

 state in a glass case. The good old dame with 

 whom I lodged " Mother" she was always styled 

 would tell you they were brought to her by one of 

 her " gals as lived in sarvice near the sea." And 

 as I looked at them, I felt that I, like them, was 

 drift from Longshore. 



It was a well-built old English thatched cottage, 

 the front covered with roses and honeysuckle, 

 standing in a good old-fashioned garden. In the 

 borders were stocks, carnations, sweet-williams, and 

 between the hives splendid white lilies. The leaves 

 of these, preserved in spirits, form the universal 

 remedy for all cuts and bruises that affect the 

 household. Or, if the cut be only slight, a bruised 

 leaf from the geranium stops bleeding ; homely rem- 

 edies, but good ones. A thick privet hedge closes 

 the garden from the common ; beyond are the firs. 



