THE STUDY OF NATURE, 
labourers, we lived among the vines; it was our right. 
But before the grape ripened, we had numerous other 
vintages, those of the fruit-trees— cherries, apricots, 
peaches. Even at a later period, the apples and the 
pears imposed upon us new and severe labours, in 
which it was a matter of conscience that our hands 
should be employed. And thus, even in winter, these 
necessities returned—to act, to laugh, and to do nothing. 
The last tasks, occurring in mid-November, were perhaps 
the most delightful; a light mist then enfolded every- 
thing ; I have seen nothing like it elsewhere; it was a 
dream, an enchantment. All objects were transfigured 
under the wavy folds of the vast pearl-gray canopy 
which, at the breath of the warm autumn, lovingly 
alighted hither and thither, like a farewell kiss. 
“The dignified hospitality of my mother, my father’s 
charm of manner and piquant conversation, drew upon 
us also the unforeseen distractions of visitors from the 
town, constraining suspensions of our studies, at which 
we did not weep. But the great and unceasing visit 
was from the poor, who well knew the house and the 
hand inexhaustibly opened by charity. All partici- 
pated in its benefits, even the very animals; and it 
was a curious and diverting thing to see the dogs of 
the neighbourhood, patiently, silently seated on their 
hind legs, waiting until my father should raise his 
eyes from his book: they felt assured that he would 
not resist the mute eloquence of their prayer. My 
mother, more reasonable, was inclined to drive away 
these indiscreet guests who came at their own invitation. 
My father felt that he was wrong, and yet he never 
