THE SHEPHERD OF THE DOWNS 123 



the fine and even noble features that are so frequently 

 found among them, and a degree of intelligence beyond 

 that of the average shepherd of other districts. 



One of the numerous, mostly minute, differences 

 to be detected between the downland shepherd and 

 other peasants — differences due to the conditions of 

 his life — refers to his disposition. He has a singu- 

 larly placid mind, and is perfectly contented with 

 his humble lot. In no other place have I been in 

 England, even in the remotest villages and hamlets, 

 where the rustics are not found to be more or less 

 infected with the modern curse or virus of restless- 

 ness and dissatisfaction with their life. I have, first 

 and last, conversed with a great many shepherds, 

 from the lad whose shepherding has just began to 

 the patriarch who has held a crook, and "twitched 

 his mantle blue," in the old Corydon way, on 

 these hills for upwards of sixty years, and in this 

 respect have found them all very much of one mind. 

 It is as if living alone with nature on these heights, 

 breathing this pure atmosphere, the contagion had 

 not reached them, or else that their blood was proof 

 against such a malady. 



One day I met a young shepherd on the highest 

 part of the South Downs, who was about twenty-three 

 years old, handsome, tall, well-formed, his face glowing 

 with health and spirits. I shared my luncheon with 

 him, and then sitting on the turf we talked for an 

 hour about the birds and other wild creatures which 



