10 SPRING-TIDE. 



them in those ancient days when books 

 were few and precious. 



J. Wonderful discovery ! I believe there 

 is an advertisement not long since issued, 

 announcing a work illustrating Shakspeare's 

 knowledge of natural history ! 



S. A veritable mare's nest ! but here ""s 

 the river, and yonder comes my ally, 

 Simon Paradice, a true specimen of the 

 " Chawbacon " shrewd, but honest, and 

 grateful for little kindnesses. 



J. I confess I have little sympathy with 

 these clods. There is in them a good deal 

 of low cunning under the mask of sim- 

 plicity, and their manners are intolerably 

 boorish. 



S. Hold there ! I cannot bear to hear 

 my smock-frocked friends and neighbours 

 so vilified, " nor shall you do mine ear 

 that violence. 1 '' I have all my life loved 

 these simple people whom you abuse. 

 Coarse, and even brutal, many of them 



