Shepherds. 95 
hand. If they seldom sit down to a social gathering 
among themselves, it is because they see each other so 
constantly during the day, working in the same fields, 
and perhaps eating their luncheon a dozen together 
in the same outhouse. A visitor whom they know 
from the next village is ever welcome to what fare 
there is. On Sundays the younger men often set out 
to call on friends at a distance of several miles, re- 
maining with them all day; they carry with them a 
few lettuces, or apples from the tree in the garden 
(according to the season), wrapped up in a coloured 
handkerchief, as a present. 
Some of the older shepherds still wear the ancient 
blue smockfrock, crossed with white ‘facings’ like 
coarse lace ; but the rising generation use the great- 
coat of modern make, at which their forefathers would 
have laughed as utterly useless in the rain-storms that 
blow across the open hills. Among the elder men, 
too, may be found a few of the huge umbrellas of a 
former age, which when spread give as much shelter 
asasmall tent. It is curious that they rarely use an 
umbrella in the field, even when simply standing 
about ; but if they go a short journey along the high- 
way, then they take it with them. The aged men 
sling these great umbrellas over the shoulder with a 
piece of tar cord, just as a soldier slings his musket, 
and so have both hands free—one to stump along 
with a stout stick and the other to carry a flag basket. 
The stick is always too lengthy to walk with as men 
