THE FERN PARADISE. 
that Totnes is built on a steep hill. But just 
climb through the delightful lanes which mount 
to Totnes Down Hill, and look at the lovely little 
town ! It appears to nestle in the extreme depth 
of a valley. But the explanation is here : Totnes 
is built on hillocks, and hills soar above it. And 
these hillocks are charming, small as they look 
when viewed from the heights above. 
Imagine a series of little hills, or rather a 
mingling of little hills and little valleys ! Ima- 
gine a cluster of houses built upon this 
combination of hill and valley ! Imagine an 
intermingling of paved streets and green lanes, 
of houses, delightful villas and fruit-gardens ! 
Imagine walking out of old-fashioned streets filled 
with old-fashioned houses, into paved ways which 
seem to go everywhere, e up hill and down dale,’ 
between high walls covered with w r all Ferns, wall- 
flowers, and mosses ! Imagine yourself walking 
along all sorts of terraced roads at every con- 
ceivable height above the river level — houses 
being above you, beneath you, around you ! 
Imagine bricks and mortar placed at a disadvan- 
tage in a contest with sites that are so charmingly 
96 
