264 A Walk from 



first, " Providence tempers the wind to the shorn lamb." 

 A French writer puts it the other way, and more practi- 

 cally : " Providence tempers the wool of the lamb to the 

 wind." This is far better and more natural. But 

 it may be truly said that Providence tempers the seasons 

 to the temperaments and customs of the two nations. 



Just before reaching Oakham, I passed a grand 

 mansion, standing far back from the turnpike road, 

 on a commanding eminence, flanked with extensive 

 plantations. The wide avenue leading to it looked a 

 full mile in length. Lawns and lakes, which mirrored 

 the trees with equal distinctness, suffused the landscape 

 of the park like evening smiles of Nature. It was 

 indeed a goodly heritage for one man ; and he only 

 mounted a plain Mr. to his name, although I learned 

 that he could count his farms by the dozen. I was 

 told that the annual dinner given to his tenant farmers 

 came off the previous day at the inn where I lodged. 

 A sumptuous banquet was provided for them, presided 

 over by the steward of the estate ; as the great Mr. 

 did not honor the plebeian company with his presence. 

 This is a feature of the structure of English society 

 which the best read American would not be likely 

 to recognise without travelling somewhat extensively 

 in the country. The British Nobility, the great, 

 world-renowned Middle Class, and the poor laboring 



