REMARKS 131 



my eye on every side, producing nothing but stunted 

 fern, that a few half-starved sheep were browsing on, I 

 could but contrast it with the sunny downs of Hampshire 

 and the wood-crowned hills of Surrey ; the former affording 

 pasture to innumerable flocks of that valuable animal, 

 the latter testifying to the good effects arising from the 

 judicious employment of capital and labour. 



It being dark on my arrival at the principal inn, the 

 instructions I o'ave the ostler as to takino; care of the 

 good horse that had brought me more than sixty miles 

 that day, elicited a fcAV remarks, which I afterwards 

 learned from some of the townspeople who had followed 

 me into the inn yard, or issued from the house on seeing 

 the arrival of a strano-er. 



" I wonders who he be ? " said one. 



" What be he come vor ? " said another ; whilst a third, 

 who pretended to be more knowing than the others, 

 observed, — 



" I dun know who he be, or what he be come vor, but 

 he have got a good oss, and knows how to take care on 

 un." 



Inquiring my way to the house I wanted, I was easily 

 directed, and, knocking at the door, met with a hearty 

 and kind reception from all the members of the family, 

 which then consisted of but three— who A7ere attired in 

 mourning for the recent loss of a beautiful and amiable 

 elder daughter in the bloom of life. Retiring early to 

 bed and sleeping sound, I did not wake till morning, 

 when, my room being in front of the house, my senses 

 were aroused by the strangest cries, which to me were 

 quite unintelligible. 



