NATURE NEAR LONDON 



two. And after studying these shelves, and get- 

 ting, as it were, so deep down into the past, it is 

 with a kind of Rip Van Winkle feeling that you 

 enter again into the sunshine of the day. The 

 fair upon the beach does not seem quite real for 

 a few minutes. 



Before the autumn is too far advanced and the 

 skies are uncertain, a few hours should be given to 

 that massive Down which fronts the traveller from 

 London, Ditchling Beacon, the highest above the 

 sea-level. It is easy of access, the train carries 

 you to Hassock's Gate the station is almost in 

 a copse and an omnibus runs from it to a 

 comfortable inn in the centre of Ditchling village. 

 Thence to the Down itself the road is straight, 

 and the walk no longer than is always welcome 

 after riding. 



After leaving the cottages and gardens, the road 

 soon becomes enclosed with hedges and trees, 

 a mere country lane ; and how pleasant are the 

 trees after the bare shore and barren sea ! The 

 hand of autumn has browned the oaks, and has 

 passed over the hedge, reddening the haws. The 

 north wind rustles the dry hollow stalks of plants 

 upon the mound, and there is a sense of hardihood 

 in the touch of its breath. 



The light is brown, for a vapour conceals the 

 sun it is not like a cloud, for it has no end or 



