LV 



How much more deeply cruelty offends when it is 

 enacted in fair scenes! So I thought to myself one 

 Thoughtless Sunday evening not long ago, witnessing an 

 crufeity unpleasant incident in the meadows below 

 Winchester. Troops of swifts were sweeping low and 

 fast over the Itchen ; round and round they went with 

 shrill, soft cries, rejoicing in their perfect wingmanship. 

 At a bend of the stream stood a couple of fellows with 

 long sticks, hitting at the birds as they went by. 

 Generally they missed their aim, but every now and 

 then there was a shout and much unlovely laughter, 

 as one or other of them knocked one of the birds down 

 in mid flight. My first impulse was to go up and tell 

 the clowns they were a couple of cruel rascals, and 

 order them to desist. What was it restrained me 

 prudence, justice, or cowardice ? Perhaps a mixture 

 of all three ; for here are some of my reflections as I 

 turned away and sauntered home. I had come to 

 Winchester for trout-fishing, as it was not impossible 

 that the lads might divine, for many idlers resort to 

 that sweet town for no other purpose ; and if so, had 

 I interfered, might they not have asked, with redundant 



