Tramps. 311 



independent air, and cleanlier look they had little 

 bundles in their hands. My eyes turned from them 

 to him with inquiry. 



" Oh ! " he said, " these in front are tramps just 

 come from our workhouse over there behind the 

 church, and they are just on their way to the next 

 one. They go a regular round, and that makes up 

 their lives, poor devils 'tis little better than a tread- 

 wheel, yet they don't commit suicide. The two behind, 

 if I judge right, are not tramps, but respectable working 

 men out of a job moving on to try and find one. They 

 look very different from the others, and may work into 

 better luck yet." 



I looked again as those in front turned a corner, and 

 saw the last of them one was just borrowing a rag 

 from another, probably all they had for a handkerchief 

 among the lot. In these days of accumulation and 

 care for the things of to-morrow, these men, at all 

 events, illustrate complete dependence on Providence, 

 laying up no treasure for themselves here below, nor 

 carrying scrip nor cloak the saddest spectacle almost 

 to be seen in our Christian country, and strongly em- 

 phasised here by the freshness, greenness, and sparkle 

 of nature all around. 



Before I parted from my good informant, a gentle- 

 man with an air of business came along, whom I was 

 informed was Mr. Brand of the " Atlas " Printing Works, 

 who could supply me with the " guide " I wanted. I 

 went with him to his place to get Mr. Hall's very 

 excellent " Guide to Glendale," which I found most 

 interesting and useful, simple, clear, and nicely illus- 

 trated. 



This enabled me to choose my walks whilst at Wooler; 

 and of two of them I must make special mention. The 



