268 A Walk from 



idiosyncracies, and liberty of conscience have freer scope 

 and play. Never did all the isms of philanthropy, 

 politics, or of social and moral reform generally have 

 such a harmonious trysting time of it. Never was 

 there a platform erected for discussing things local and 

 general so catholic as the one now resting upon the 

 wheels of those farm wagons. Every year the bland 

 and venerable host succeeds in widening the area of 

 debate. I was invited to be present at the Festival 

 this year, but was too far on the road to John 0' Groat's 

 to participate in a pleasure I have often enjoyed. But 

 I read his resume of the year's doings, aspects and 

 prospects from Japan to Hudson's Bay with lively 

 interest and valuable instruction. He seldom presides 

 himself as chairman, but leaves that post of honor to 

 be filled, if possible, by the citizen of some foreign 

 country, if he can speak English tolerably. This gives 

 a more cosmopolitan aspect to the assembly. But he 

 himself always makes what in Parliament would be 

 called " a financial statement," without the reference 

 to money matters. He sums up the significance of all 

 the great events of the year, bearing upon human 

 progress in general, and upon each specific enterprise 

 in particular. With palatial mansions, parks, and 

 farms great and small, scattered through several coun- 

 ties, he is the greatest radical in England. He dis- 



