214 IRature Stuoies in Berkshire. 



The Dominie. Well, I do not ask you to. I am 

 no such heretic toward the ancient landmarks as you 

 try to force me to be. But suppose David were to 

 come back here now, and, instead of the hills to 

 which he lifted up his eyes, see Tacoma, and Sir 

 Donald, and Jungfrau ; and suppose instead of the 

 shepherd's simple knowledge he were to hear the 

 heavens declare the glory of God with the ear and 

 understanding of Herschel. What might we not 

 hear in the devout lyrics he would sing for us ? 



The Wife. I should hope they would not lose 

 anything of the simplicity and childlikeness of the 

 old ones. The world would be the poorer if they 

 did. 



The Dominie. True enough ! The world has not 

 lost and will not lose the primitive and germinal faiths 

 which were born with it. But 1 devoutly believe 

 that its culture and knowledge are all the time ex- 

 panding these childlike ideals, and that the same 

 spirit, with the maturity of the centuries added unto 

 it, would strike a grander note. 



Adelaide. Well, I am glad you think properly 

 of the ancient harvests men reaped in this field of 

 beauty. 



The Dominie. Good ! and I hope you realise that 

 the soil grows richer with the deposit of the ages. 



Lisbeth. Hark ! I hear my baby cry. 



The Wife. Well, it is too damp for us any longer. 

 Let us go in. 



