2o6 THE DAILY LIFE OF OUR FARM. 



(I have just been to see them) not budging an inch, but 

 in substantial dignity all calmly repellent of the outside 

 vehemence of waters ; while above them there reposes 

 a quiet body of entrapped billows, which are sulkily dis- 

 gorging their burden of alluvial mud, to add another 

 layer to the growing subaqueous bank, on the slope of 

 which, distinctly seen when the stream clears next 

 summer, the flock will graze, while, as the white steer 

 of Clitumnus, it admires its own loveliness in the fluid 

 mirror beneath. But the air is damp and raw, and I 

 hasten up into the fire-lit dining-room, and despite the 

 vehemence of my last week's preachment inish straight- 

 way to the hearth, attaining at once condign punish- 

 ment in an uneasy sense about the nasal region that is 

 suof2"estive of catarrh in the head. The chicks I find 

 there, all deeply immersed in their books ; all so deeply 

 that they give me only a grumpy answer as I disturb 

 them successively with a kiss or mild pinch. But one 

 is thankful, notwithstanding. Half the secret of high 

 collegiate success lies in an early love of reading general 

 literature. Educators will always tell you that they 

 can do wonders with a lad who has always loved to 

 pore over volumes, whereas there is no use in cramming 

 for a competitive examination one whose turn has been 

 absolutely and only for foot-ball and taws. 



We are busy at the homestead, or rather there are 

 masons and an engineer busy putting up a steam engine ; 

 a beautiful little toy of a thing which will but just cut 

 chaff and crush oats, and be an awful amusement on a 

 wet day, as one will sit by and smoke and watch its in- 

 dustrious evolutions, or roast an occasional potato in the 

 ashes. No, that will not do ; because, of course, one 

 must have all the latest inventions carried out, and I 



