HINDRANCES AND HELPS. 259 



" I shouldn't have known 'em from Muscovies," 

 he says. And I really don't suppose that he would. 



A good-natured city-guest, who comes to see you 

 in your retirement, is very apt to talk in this strain 

 upon farming matters. It is engaging, but not im- 

 proving. 



You stroll, by and by, into the library ; and 

 leave him for a few moments lounging in the arm- 

 chair, while you slip out to give some orders to the 

 ditchers in the meadow. 



Upon your return, entering somewhat brusquely 

 (expecting to find him deep in some book), you 

 waken him out of a sound sleep. 



" Upon my word," he says, " this is a beautiful 

 air ; if I lived here I should sleep half my time." 



The reflection is a somewhat dismal one, though 

 well meant. 



All this, however, illustrates what I want to say 

 that the citizen engrossed in active professional or 

 business pursuits, when he visits a farm friend, goes 

 with the very sensible purpose and hope of escaping 

 for a while the interminable mental strain of the city, 

 and of giving himself up to full relaxation. And this 

 fact makes the isolation of which I have spoken, more 

 apparent than ever. 



And it is an isolation that cannot altogether be 

 left behind one. On your visits to the city, friends 



