88 MY FARM. 



blacksmith's shop ? " " Was it a saw mill ? " and with 

 a loud appreciatory " guffaw " the critics pass by. 



Oar country tastes are as yet very ambitious ; 

 homeliness and simplicity are not appetizing enough. 

 But in time we shall ripen into a wholesome severity, 

 in this matter. I am gratified to perceive that the 

 harshest observers of my poor cottage in the begin- 

 ning, have now cojne to regard it with a kindly inter- 

 est. It mates so fairly with the landscape, it mates 

 so fairly with its purpose ; it is so resolutely unpre- 

 tending, and carries such air of permanence and dura- 

 bility, that it wins and has won upon the most arrant 

 doubters. 



The country neighbors were inclined to look upon 

 the affair as a piece of stupidity, not comparable with 

 a fine white house, set off by cupola and green blinds. 

 But it was presently observed that cultivated people 

 from the town, in driving past, halted for a better 

 view ; the halts became frequent ; it was intimated 

 that So-and-so, of high repute, absolutely admired the 

 homeliness. Whereupon the country critics under- 

 took an inquiry into the causes of their distaste, and 

 queried if their judgment might not have need of 

 revision. Did their opinion spring from a discerning 

 measurement of the real fitness of a country house, 

 or out of a cherished and traditional regard for white 

 and green ? 



