70 MARCH 



success, disappointment, all may be traced in his 

 correspondence. How little fruit they bore! But 

 the lowlier achievements of M. Beaumont endure in 

 perfection at this day. 



It is fairy ground, this quiet pleasaunce of Levens, 

 a shred of a bygone age, surviving restless modes 

 and ephemeral habits. Yews, elaborately clipped 

 into semblance of towers, columns, vases, lions, and 

 peacocks, stand in preposterous array along the 

 broad paths; and between their sombre forms, in 

 borders deeply edged with ancient box, there flame 

 out each summer ' bemant's' crimson and white roses, 

 carnations, lilies, and wealth of old-world flowers. 



There is brewed at the Hall, after a time-honoured 

 recipe, a dark, heady beverage called 'Morocco.' 

 It is produced on state occasions, and many have 

 learnt to pledge heartily the prescribed toast, 

 ' Luck to Levens while Kent runs ! ' 



xxv 

 There is a belief prevalent in some districts that 



rooks begin the foundations of new nests, 

 Wreck 

 among or repairs on old ones, on the first 



Sunday in March. Be that as it may, 

 the daffodil moon of 1895 has been one of sore 



