HINTS. 237 



ought to have kno^vn would most probably follow, I lost 

 both. Indeed there is no act of carelessness or inex- 

 cusable foolishness as example of which I could not cite 

 some deed of my own. But it is thus only, if we ever 

 do get wiser, that we learn to do so. 



I do not know what your individuality may be, 

 Reader ; — you who now peruse this page. Not impossi- 

 bly you are what some call a dreamer, given to reverie ; 

 willing to let your thoughts roam as they will, and to 

 follow after them with your own mental self. If so, 

 when standing in the forest surrounded by verdure, and 

 repose, and beautiful tracery, and bursts of brightness, 

 and flickering dappling shadows, you will have every 

 inducement to lose yourself in sweet reverie, and to 

 let minutes glide by in a state that is half reality, half 

 dream. But sweetly tempting as it is, do not give way 

 to it. The charmed stillness that pervades the spot in- 

 duces to this : and Fancy will lure you away if she can. 

 But listen to her some other time : noiu let all your 

 senses be quickened and be wide awake, and give no 

 place to other thoughts which may distract from the 

 one end in view : " WTiere will the game come ? " 

 Above all, do not fall a-thinking of a certain full yet 

 slender form, and eyes that for you have always a kindly 

 look. This, above all, do not do, or the deer will come 

 and pass without arousing you from your pleasant 

 musing. But perhaps you are no such fancy-weaver. 



