FROM SPRIXG TO FALL. 



brewed beer, in the cool flag-paved porch. Surely 

 there were some things which went more smoothly 

 then than they do now ; for the keepers were always 

 welcomed when the}- called there in those days. 



The last, but by no means the least, instance of 

 kindly feeling would be shown when the shooting 

 season was well on, by the keeper arriving with a 

 brace of pheasants and the squire's compliments. 

 After delivering this message he would go inside, 

 and the farmer would produce from some mysterious 

 place of concealment a long-necked bottle and a 

 large tumbler ; and he would fill the latter more 

 than once with a generous liquor which he called 

 " Beyond compare." 



The common partridge is very highly appreciated 

 as a game-bird by those who look forward, not 

 without good reason, to the ist of September. He 

 is a good bird to shoot at, pleasing to look at, and 

 he makes excellent eating. He may with fairness 

 be called a very good all-round bird for sporting 

 purposes, existing in great numbers in all directions, 

 and within comparatively easy reach so far as walk- 

 ing is concerned. Indeed, partridges may really be 



