BEECH-TREE. 117 



mast falls sparingly, the swineherd now and then invites them, 

 with the music of his horn, to a gratuitous meal, but in 

 general this is unnecessary ; they speedily seek out the best 

 laden trees, and such as yield the finest mast or acorns, and 

 range occasionally to the distance of three or four miles. 

 Swineherds report, that every herd is conducted by an ex- 

 perienced leader, who, having led a forest life for perhaps 

 several seasons, instructs his younger bretheren, and con- 

 ducts them to his favourite haunts among the woods. 



Our grunting dependants have generally been regarded 

 as obstinate, headstrong, and unmanageable. True it is, 

 that they have somewhat of self-will, which inclines them to 

 a degree of positiveness, as regards the will of others ; but 

 when judiciously instructed, and for this we have the 

 authority of Gilpin, they become both orderly and docile. 

 Some difficulty at first doubtless consists in enabling them 

 to comprehend that your intentions are friendly, because 

 hard usage uniformly excites mistrust; but when this is 

 effected, you may lead them with a straw. 



