246 ON SURREY HILLS. 



which gather many an ancient tradition and kindly- 

 memory. Modern improvements have not altered 

 any part of the natural surroundings. The house 

 and its traditions were well known to us through 

 faithful retainers, whose forefathers had been settled 

 on this woodland estate for generations past. It is 

 good to see the kindly and reverent way in which 

 those who have so faithfully served identify them- 

 selves with this family, whose name is honoured by 

 all who know them. Even the very animals and 

 birds are gifted in the eyes of these old retainers with 

 qualities not possessed by such creatures outside the 

 pale of the estates. 



Old Dan'el had seen sixty summers and winters 

 when I first made his acquaintance. " I've been 

 house carpenter on this 'ere place," he told me, 

 " since my father died, an' he was here afore me. 

 The old squire was a real kind sort o' man ; when 

 he walked down to the lower gardens the 'osses and 

 cows 'ud just foUer an' rub their heads agin' him. I've 

 sin 'em do it times an' agin, I hev ; yet he waun't a 

 gentleman as 'ed let the least bit o' liberty be took 

 with him. He used to feed them 'ere peacocks on 

 the gravel-walk front of the terrace steps reg'lar, 



