THE DAILY LIFE OF OUR FARM. 81 



one a life-time."] The basin's overflow will feed a 

 shallow reservoir/ cemented and gravel-strewn, with an 

 occasional deep hollow upon which will be piled a few 

 irregular pieces of rock, so as to afford shelter to the 

 fish, of which a regular supply will be kept for the use 

 of the house, being constantly replenished by netting 

 the river-pool below. This reservoir there will adjoin a 

 flat bed of the crisp brown-leaved watercress, escaping 

 from which the exhausted current will be allowed to 

 soak indolently into the turf of a winding gully, to 

 be planted with willows as a pleasure-ground for the 

 pheasants. 



The period of enjoyment in this summer-house seems, 

 however, just now a long way off, while we contemplate 

 the deep snow-carpet so suddenly spread, and listen to 

 the wind so discontentedly howling at every crevice. 

 Comfort now for the stock is only in the sheds and 

 boxes, which, all fresh laid with sweet straw and fern, 

 quite realise one's idea of brute creature enjoyment, 

 To leave the poor things cramped up and shivering 

 upon the fields were, one might fancy, the height of 

 cruelty. The wild breeds on their unrestricted feeding- 

 grounds find plenty of warm nooks under rock and 

 tree wherein to spend the dull tedium of such a season ; 

 whereas thoughtless man exposes to the pitiless blast, 

 between open hurdles, or on a wind-swept, hedgeless 

 meadow, the flock and herd that he has comparatively 

 enervated and rendered tender by cultivation. To a 

 certain degree they may undoubtedly be habituated to 

 exposure, but it is anyhow waste, seeing how warmth 

 conduces to fattening. 



Habit — what a thing it is ! There is nothing like 

 being used to it, as my charming sister-in-law remarked 



G 



