ii6 BEASTS OF LABOR. 



backward ftate in which hufbandry ftill re- 

 mains, in this remote part of the Illand. 



11. OXEN have ever been the plow 

 TEAM of the Diftrid; : fometimes with 

 horfes before them ; but more generally 

 alone : four aged oxen, or fix growing 

 ifteers, are the ufual " plov/" of the Dif- 

 tridl. 



Oxen are unlverfally worked in yoke ; 

 yet are remarkably trad:able ; and ftep out 

 with a pace, which a Kentifh clown would 

 think a hardiliip to follow, with his high- 

 fed horfe team. 



The ftyle of driving an Ox team, 

 here, is obfervable ; indeed, cannot pafs 

 unnoticed by a ilranger. The language, 

 though in a great degree peculiar to the 

 country,! does not arreft th^ attention ; but 

 the tone, or rather tune, in which it is 

 delivered. It refembles, with great exadi- 

 nefs, the chantings, or recitative of the 

 Cathedral fervice. The plow boy chants 

 the counter tenor, with unabated ardour 

 through the day -, the plowman throwing 

 in, at intervals, his hoarfer notes. It is 



under- 



