212 THE DAILY LIFE OF OUIi FARM. 



even over one gate ! It was the more enjoyable that 

 there was little or no stream in the outspread waters. 

 Before I conclude, I owe it to myself to record the 

 results of the post onortem examination of a grand 

 young boar just killed for the butcher, which won a 

 prize at Leicester, and several since, finishing up with 

 a cup at Lord Tredegar's show. Having been fattened 

 when quite young and then reduced, he retained from 

 the period of his first obesity a " purse " of skin and 

 blubber underneath him, which ignoramuses persisted 

 in calling a rupture. We knew it was nothing of the 

 sort, having had proof. Besides, the V. S. of the Royal 

 Agricultural Show found no objection to him. When lo 

 and behold, at the Gloucester show a wiseacre appointed 

 as judge actually disqualified him, owing to that forma- 

 tion, in spite of all representation upon the subject 1 

 Another V. S. should have been consulted. A decision 

 of this sort should not be left to a common farmer or 

 bailiff, however pig-headed he may be. They have only 

 to pronounce on the symmetry and quality of the 

 animals set for their judgment. Breeders knew better. 

 At Leicester, one of the most eminent of the class in 

 England wanted to buy him, and during conversation 

 remarked that he had seen many such cases. My 

 indignation chokes me. 



A2>ril, 1869. 

 I HAVE just returned from a walk by the river side. 

 It is a favourite ramble of ours, because of the freshness 

 that we fall in with, as well as that we obtain therefrom 

 a charming view of "home, sweet home," nestling 

 amidst the trees that crown the steep overhanging 

 bank. No matter what time of the day we go down, 



