ADVICE FOR LACKLAND. 87 



under the bark, thus loosening the latter, and filling 

 it with an ugly yellow powder. I have observed, in 

 my own experience, that the ravages of this insect are 

 much more decided and constant upon cedar cut in 

 the winter, than upon such as has been cut in the 

 growing season of the year. The fact, however, may 

 be accidental, and I must confess utter ignorance of 

 the habits and tastes of this disagreeable grub. 



The virtue of all such rustic work as I have com- 

 mented upon, lies in its exceeding simplicity, joined 

 to great serviceableness. Home repairs do not tell 

 badly on it ; the joints need not be arranged with 

 mathematical precision ; the materials are near at 

 hand and inexpensive ; the creeping vines cling to it 

 lovingly ; it wears age with a veteran sturdiness. 



I am by no means prepared to say that my friend 

 Lackland will adopt my views on this head. I sus- 

 pect that bis country or city joiner, when confronted 

 with the hints I have thrown out in these gate 

 sketches, (they are really intended for nothing more 

 than bints), will shake his head doubtfully, and lay 

 before my friend some stupendous affair of carpentry, 

 with an infinitude of mouldings, which, to his eye, is 

 vastly finer. And I shall expect Lackland to yield to 

 the charm of the rectangular elevations that are set 

 before him ; or, if he absolutely insists upon the 

 working up of what stray cedars, or other wood, may 



