PREFACE. 
The following notes contain, in a journal form, the sim- 
ple record of those little events wdiich make up the course 
of the seasons in rural life, and were commenced two years 
since, in the spring of 1848, for the Avriter’s amusement. 
In Avandering about the fields, during a long, unbroken 
residence in the country, one naturally gleans many tri- 
♦ 
fling observations on rustic matters, Avhicli are afterward 
remembered with pleasure by the fire- side, and gladly 
shared, perhaps, with one’s friends. The following pages, 
therefore, are oflered to the reader more from the interest 
of the subject, than from any merit of their OAvn. They 
make no claim whatever to scientific knowledge, but it is 
hoped that they will be found free from great inaccura- 
cies ; and we may add, that they were written at least 
in perfect good faith, all the trifling incidents alluded to 
having occurred as they are recorded. 
Should the volume give pleasure to any who, like the 
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