250 OUT-OF-TOWN PLACES. 



the cheerfulness with which we watch people break- 

 ing the tenth commandment. Horace has touched 

 the matter prettily in his satire ; but he might have 

 added that the merchant is never so contented, as 

 when he hears the old soldier, or the officer on half- 

 pay exclaim : " fortunati mercatores ! " And the 

 country is never more charming than when we read 

 and reading, believe 



" Agricolam laudat juris legumque peritus." 

 When Mr. Urban shall have made the skilful 

 lawyer covetous of his fruits, his fields, his walks, he 

 may sell if he chooses. As I said, we never cease 

 breaking the tenth commandment and trying to make 

 other people break it. And pray, who keeps the 

 other nine ? 



Country ITouses and ^Repairs. 



WHAT man or woman of us all does not some 

 time think of a house that shall one day be a 

 home ? Who does not ponder the subject forecast 

 its details outline its surroundings invest it with 

 charms dally with its image, and give to his imagin- 

 ings a most grateful acceptance ? For my own 

 part, I think I began to build, when as yet I stood in 

 daily fear of the ferule of a school-mistress, and 

 when, under a knitted Scotch school-cap, there came 



