32 CHRONICLES OF A CLAY FARM. 



same long meadow aforetime celebrated in this 

 Chronicle ; reminding one of a fallen foe bleeding 

 out life and mischief at last and for ever. The 

 impulse of pent-up theory was irresistible. ' Let 

 it be spread over the land ! ' 



And so it was. And a very curious-looking field 

 it made for the livelong winter that ensued. Wise 

 men came from all the quarters of the compass to 

 look at it. Some of their remarks and questions 

 were very nattering. ' Where had I purchased my 

 Winter top-dressing ? as they should like to buy 

 some at the same shop, whatever the cost.' * What 

 winter crop was I growing so carefully under the 

 variegated carpet ? ' Toall which I answered with 

 becoming gravity, and modesty of my own merit. 

 Some of the remarks being of a more mysterious 

 character, I entered in my Farm Journal for future 

 explanation and experience : such for instance as 

 that of an old gentleman who, shutting one eye (I 

 suppose it was a habit), told me with great blandness 

 of manner, that I had ' put my foot in it? (What 

 could he mean ?) Another was so full of general 

 good wishes that he ' wished I might get it ' more 

 than once ; which I thought all the more good- 

 natured as he did not even stay to particularise what 



