THE DAILY LIFE OF OUR FARM. 275 



_ayers of stone. There is a certain element of lime 

 in the sandstone itself, which fizzes on the application 

 of spirit of salt; but the stuff which attracted my 

 attention is clearly an infiltrated incrustration from the 

 surface, which I understand was dressed thickly with a 

 compost of earth and lime some fifteen years ago. I 

 know that lime will bury itself in time, but I had no 

 idea it was so persevering a borer as this. 



What an easy thing it is to do good ! Would that 

 we were always so inclined ! Having been shown by 

 the enterprising agent of some ducal estates in Suffolk 

 a comfortable labourers' reading-room erected at dif- 

 ferent points of the property, I borrowed the idea, and, 

 by the expenditure of a few shillings, boarded off 

 half a garden-house, which has temporarily been wain- 

 scotted with matting, and is warmed by an old laundry 

 stove. A table is erected at one corner, with a book- 

 shelf above, and a paraffin lamp gives light. When I 

 first broached the idea, all the villagers held off; but 

 any night you may turn in now, between seven and 

 half-past nine, you will find the place crowded. Each 

 subscriber pays a penny a week. The room is managed 

 by a chairman (elected weekly by themselves) and a 

 committee. They are supplied with excellent coffee, at a 

 half-penny per large cup. The profit on the sale of coffee 

 buys them a weekly paper ; besides which, between us 

 neighbours, we put in our own half-dozen various prints 

 every week, and they have a small select library on the 

 shelf They are allowed to smoke. I am delighted at the 

 success of the plan. Whenever you may turn in, you 

 will find a number occupied with the books, and who 

 don't care to talk. I mention these particulars, as it is 

 so cheap a mode of doing positive good. The plan, as 



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