70 WAYFARING NOTIONS 



You cannot find a better for poor bodies with 

 inclination to weakness in the lungs. I wouldn't 

 swop Plumpton for Ventnor if the patients 

 concerned were only a little bit inclined to be 

 weak, you know. But, then, as readers may 

 perhaps be aware, I am very partial to the South 

 Downs and the Sussex Weald country that lies 

 near the northern feet of the great chalk ranges. 

 None of the seasons would come amiss to me 

 down that way, but for choice give me spring. 

 When the days are drawing out strongly and the 

 sun is asserting its power ; the early butterflies 

 need not fear getting nipped ; the hedges are 

 growing blind fast, and most of the big trees' 

 leaves following their blooms out ; when those 

 who know where to seek for them may find small 

 birds' eggs, and not only the voice of the turtle is 

 heard in the land (when is it not ?), but the 

 cuckoo has a word to say, and in quite different 

 fashion from his June, July, and August speech ; 

 then is the time for the lover of the country to 

 take liberal doses of Plumpton. ** Lord help 

 'em! How I pities those unhappy folk" who 

 just run down to the meetings and bundle off at 

 the earliest opportunity — that is to say, by the 

 special train service which the South Coast 

 Railway Company have made very good lately. 

 I trust that while they are on the spot they do 

 appreciate the solemn old grey-green downs that 

 overlook the racecourse's slope, itself a strong 

 rise, but paltrily insignificant by comparison 

 with their towering steeps, the highest getting on 

 for 900 feet above sea level. Also, we will hope 

 that the outlook among the oak-timbered country- 

 side may, perchance, be grateful and comforting 

 during the restless division's brief visits. 



