II. 



MY POND. 



FIND a world of delight and sweet 

 companionship at all seasons here by 

 the borders of this pond. Its position is 

 just what that of a pond should be to 

 take most advantage of the sunlight and the sunset, of 

 moonlight and stars. It lies open along almost the 

 whole breadth of its eastern end, with a soft level 

 grassy platform there, as if nature had intended, and 

 art — pleasant helpmate — had done its best to reinforce 

 the intention, that you should advantageously and easily 

 see how she can distribute her tree-forms and varied 

 tints to the best advantage, as well as cast in a hook 

 with comfort, if you are inclined to try for roach or 

 golden tench, which abound in it, and which at certain 

 hours find a favourite resort and feeding-place in the 

 freshet ; for it is, in truth, a miniature lake, with true 

 inlet and outlet, the banks rising at both sides, and 

 showing that the pond is natural — the enlargement 

 of a very old watercourse. As you stand there, rod in 

 hand, the falling water behind you, that had passed 

 through a grating and bricked channel under your feet 

 for a space of six yards or more, falls into a miniature 



49 D 



