II. 



MY POND. 



FIND a world of delight and sweet 

 ompanionship at all seasons here by 

 the borders of this pond. Its position is 

 just what that of a pond should be to 

 'take most advantage of the sunlight and the sunset, of 

 moonlight and stars. It lies open along almost the 

 whole breadth of its eastern end, with a soft level 

 grassy platform there, as if nature had intended, and 

 art pleasant helpmate had done its best to reinforce 

 the intention, that you should advantageously and easily 

 see how she can distribute her tree-forms and varied 

 tints to the best advantage, as well as cast in a hook 

 with comfort, if you are inclined to try for roach or 

 golden tench, which abound in it, and which at certain 

 hours find a favourite resort and feeding-place in the 

 freshet ; for it is, in truth, a miniature lake, with true 

 inlet and outlet, the banks rising at both sides, and 

 showing that the pond is natural the enlargement 

 of a very old watercourse. As you stand there, rod in 

 hand, the falling water behind you, that had passed 

 through a grating and bricked channel under your feet 

 for a space of six yards or more, falls into a miniature 



D 



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