OUR BERKSHIRE, 



THE best account of Berkshire must be a record 

 of impressions. No catalogue of places, no 

 word- pictures of its scenery can reproduce 

 the charm its lovers feel. But a recital of what one 

 has enjoyed among these hills and under these skies 

 may recall to others like sensations and delights. 

 This is the only way in which the charm of locality 

 can be passed along. Original enthusiasms make 

 strong second-hand impressions. There is no trouble 

 about the effect of Berkshire at first-hand. It always 

 masters the lover of nature, and makes him an ad- 

 mirer forever, as Scotland does, and Switzerland, 

 and Italy. 



To know Berkshire is to love it. To love it is to 

 feel a sort of proprietorship in it, a pride in its glories, 

 a joy in its beauties, such as owners have in their 

 estates, and patriots in their native land. He who 

 was born here, clings to the soil if he stays, or reverts 

 to it if he moves from it, with a New England stead- 

 fastness, as intense and deep as a moral principle. 

 He who visits Berkshire is almost certain to visit 

 again and yet once more. He would fain revel in the 

 old delight of air and scene and influence. He be- 



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