362 A FIRESIDE INTERIOR. 



absolutely old. That straight rigid back has not bent beneath 

 the weight of years that wiry, inky hair shows no besprin- 

 kling of gray that lengthy visage, complexioned always like 

 the sear and yellow leaf, exhibits only in its reddened purplish 

 tip, a frosty touch of winter ; and as for wintry furrows, though 

 the graver of time has here, doubtless, deepened them, they 

 must all, Caleb, even in thy youth, have been traced visibly, 

 just as in pencil the lines and letters thou wert accustomed 

 to mark out for the guidance of us, thy pupils in the cali- 

 graphic art. 



Now, last of our pictures, comes an interior, a scene by fire- 

 light within the cottage parsonage depicted in our first. Here 

 is the large low kitchen, opening out of the large low hall, 

 with its oaken rafters apt for the double duty of supporting 

 superincumbent chambers and dependent hams ; its dresser of 

 like solidity, only of more fair complexion, and displaying on 

 its shelves a bright array of blue-edged platters and polished 

 pewters, both shining in cold disdainful rivalry against the 

 ruddy coppers underneath ; the whole illuminated by the glare 

 of a Yesuvian mountain of wood-crowned coal, glowing at 

 bottom, blazing at top, crackling and spluttering, rejoicing, as 

 it would seem, within its ample range, that its culinary labours, 

 for the day, are ended. 



On a large deal table before the fire, a match with the 

 dresser in whiteness and solidity, is placed a tea-board with all 

 appurtenances for tea, and for a tea-drinking of no common 



