64 THE DAILY LIFE OF OUR FARM. 



day afternoon, to note the growth of the lambs, when 

 I got a message that some strangers had come to view 

 the bulls. This makes me tremble lest they bring the 

 dreadful rinderpest upon their garments in some sub- 

 tile form. The worst has not, I believe, yet come. 

 Only the other day there was an order signed in this 

 district for the removal of some cattle, on the declara- 

 tion of two respectable farmers, one of whom had not 

 seen the stock of which he testified. What must be 

 the result of this loose — if, indeed, honest — action ? 

 I was informed of this by the magistrate who had to 

 countersign their witness. 



How lovely the pear-blossom has been ! but the 

 apple is not fully out yet. The cherry-trees are 

 laden ; but the hemes, Gardener predicts, will be but 

 a scanty tribe. - The wall-fruit might be better ; but 

 I dare not think much of that, having forgotten to 

 have the walls duly pointed with new mortar. " They 

 be all full of herrywigs and all sorts of varmint ; and, 

 lor ! these trees they be no manner of good. I've been 

 averdepoising ever so long what's best to do with 

 them." But, as the gardener's getting thus even 

 warmer than his hothouse, there's no "averdepoising" 

 for me. I'll just make up my mind, and be off for 

 a gallop in the cooler climate of the riverside. 



March, 1867. 



** Once more upon the waters ! — yet, once more ! 

 And the waves bound beneath me as a steed 

 That knows his rider ! Welcome to their roar. 

 Swift be their guidance, wheresoe'er it lead ! " 



It's all very fine — this beautiful quotation from 

 Childe Harold ; but the fact is, we are not upon the 



