Tramps. 3 1 1 



independent air, and cleanlier look — they had little 

 bundles in their hands. My eyes turned from them 

 to him with inquiry. 



" Oh ! " he said, " these in front are tramps just 

 come from our workhouse over there behind the 

 church, and they are just on their way to the next 

 one. They go a regular round, and that makes up 

 their lives, poor devils — 'tis little better than a tread- 

 wheel, yet they don't commit suicide. The two behind, 

 if I judge right, are not tramps, but respectable working 

 men out of a job moving on to try and find one. They 

 look very different from the others, and may work into 

 better luck yet." 



I looked again as those in front turned a corner, and 

 saw the last of them — one was just borrowing a rag 

 from another, probably all they had for a handkerchief 

 among the lot. In these days of accumulation and 

 care for the things of to-morrow, these men, at all 

 events, illustrate complete dependence on Providence, 

 laying up no treasure for themselves here below, nor 

 carrying scrip nor cloak — the saddest spectacle almost 

 to be seen in our Christian country, and strongly em- 

 phasised here by the freshness, greenness, and sparkle 

 of nature all around. 



Before I parted from my good informant, a gentle- 

 man with an air of business came along, whom I was 

 informed was Mr. Brand of the " Atlas " Printing Works, 

 who could supply me with the " guide " I wanted. I 

 went with him to his place to get Mr. Hall's very 

 excellent "Guide to Glendale," which I found most 

 interesting and useful, simple, clear, and nicely illus- 

 trated. 



This enabled me to choose my walks whilst at Wooler; 

 and of two of them I must make special mention. The 



