5L3K NATURE NEAR LONDON S~ 



travel, some weary enough, and these, gravitating 

 to the rear of the flock by reason of infirmity, lie 

 down in the dust to rest, while their companions 

 feed on the wayside sward. But the shepherds are 

 careful of them, and do not hasten. Shepherds here 

 often carry the pastoral crook. In districts far 

 from the metropolis you may wander about for 

 days, and with sheep all round you, never see a 

 shepherd with a crook ; but near town the pastoral 

 staff is common. 



These flocks appear to be on their way to the 

 southern down farms, and, as I said before, the 

 shepherds are tender over their sheep and careful 

 not to press them. I regret that I cannot say the 

 same about the bullocks, droves of which contin- 

 ually go by, often black cattle, and occasionally 

 even the little Highland animals. The appearance 

 of some of these droves is quite sufficient to indi- 

 cate the treatment they have undergone. Staring 

 eyes, heads continually turned from side to side, 

 starting at everything, sometimes bare places on 

 the shoulders, all tell the same tale of blows and 

 brutal treatment. 



Suburban streets which a minute before were 

 crowded with ladies and children (most gentlemen 

 are in town at mid-day) are suddenly vacated when 

 the word passes that cattle are coming. People rush 

 everywhere, into gardens, shops, back lanes, any- 

 6o_ 



