132 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER, 
[November 28. 
near tlie lattice, shows that her hands are usefully employed, 
1 and the Book that lies upon it proves that she well knows 
j the Source from whence “ all blessings flow." There she 
sits, in cheerful and blessed peace, a peace that Christians 
: only know, and which many an inmate of lordly balls would 
seli “ all that he hath to obtain." The pleased welcome 
and the sparkling eye seem to spring at once from the heart, 
and it is scarcely possible to visit Betty Wright in her totter¬ 
ing cottage without feeling that the world can offer nothing to 
compare noth that which her thankful contented heart enjoys. 
Contentment—not the cold tranquility of a quiet temper, 
but the blessed influence of love to God, and simple trust in 
j Him—is the secret of exquisite peace. 
Poor old Betty Wright’s weekly receipts consist of eighteen- 
pence aud a loaf of bread. A kind friend has for some 
years paid her rent; and with these possessions and this 
liberality she considers herself rich and happy. Amongst 
the poor indeed, it is a state of ease aud comfort; the rent is 
always a heavy drag upon then.' little pittance, and when the 
1 parish relief to an individual amounts only to a loaf and a 
shilling (which is the highest allowance in our district, 
j except in some special cases),nearly the whole of the money 
is swallowed up in that one expense, leaving literally not 
more than threepence per week to purchase firing, soap, 
and every article of clothing and food, except the allowance 
of bread. Betty’s rent being paid, therefore enables her to 
purchase those few simple necessaries which under other 
circumstances she could not possibly enjoy. 
It is indeed a pleasure to assist those who are neat and 
orderly in their habits, and who make the most of every 
thing that is given them. I have often heard poor people 
complain that they never get help from any one, as some of 
their neighbours do; aud upon glancing round, I have 
scarcely wondered that such should be the case—dirt, con¬ 
fusion, and rags need never exist under any circumstances, and 
they are therefore very likely indeed to disgust and prevent 
the charitable from giving that which would be wasted or 
misused. But the neat and clean are always attractive and 
pleasing, however poor and suffering they may be; and I 
have made one very general remark, that among such, com- 
plaining is never heard: I do not remember, at this moment, 
one single instance of complaint proceeding from a clean 
and well ordered cottage, however poor its inhabitants might 
be. The grumbling and discontented are usually those who 
are idle, and dirty, and improvident, and who are conse¬ 
quently much poorer and more wretched than they need to 
be. 
Betty Wright’s example might benefit all classes, because, 
in fact, her happiness springs from the deepest and sweetest 
source; and neither the station nor abundance of the rich 
and great can in themselves produce it. The high and the 
low must alike slake their thirst at the “ Well of Life,” for 
no other spring can satisfy the cravings of an immortal 
I spirit. 
There is another old woman who greatly resembles Betty 
in cleanliness of person and in dress. She wears the same 
sort of warm red cloak, black bonnet, and checked apron; 
her shoes and stockings are equally clean and whole; but 
the countenance—how different! There is a sour, cross, 
ill-looking expression of face, a cast of features particularly 
unprepossessing, and a something about her which always 
reminds me of the “ wicked fairy” that used to figure in the 
story books of my childish days. Mary T-, with all her 
J natural cleanliness, has not the inward adorning of “ a meek 
I and quiet spirit.” To use the words of a simple-hearted 
I old man, who once lodged in her house, “ She reads chapter 
I after chapter of the Bible, ma’am, and then she shuts it up, 
] and uses such shocking language, that I am afraid she is 
not like to get good from what she reads.” Here is the 
secret of the difference between these two cottagers, and it 
| is the secret of the difference between all who are happy— 
realty, scripturally happy—and those who are not; aud in 
j either case, the countenance, as well as the words and 
actions, tells pretty truly what is the’ state of things within. 
Cottage piety is so simple aud beautiful, it is drawn so 
exclusively from the Word of God, and is so little coloured 
\ by the precepts of men, that it is sweetly refreshing to the 
I mind, and gratifying to the taste aud feelings. The language 
of the lowly Christian is so unaffectedly scriptural too, from 
studying chiefly the Book of Life, that it gives a dignity and 
almost grandeur to the simple truths he utters; and I have 
sometimes listened with astonishment to the conversation of 
a poor labourer, who might truly be said to know nothing , 
but “Jesus Christ, and him crucified." 
Let the humble peasant remember — let the cottage gar¬ 
dener remember — let all remember, of every class and 
station, that the only.foundation of real “ wisdom” is “ the [ 
fear of the Lord." “ A good understanding have all they 1 
that do thereafter.” 
Especially at this awful and eventful time, a close clinging 
of the heart to the simple Word of God is of the highest ' 
and deepest importance. The palace and the cottage must i 
stand on the same rock, to breast successfully the waves ’ 
and storms that assail them,—to stand safely amid the “fiery 
darts of the wicked one ” that are now flying around. “ The | 
sword of the spirit" is a mighty weapon, even in a poor j 
man’s hand; and ive have every encouragement to “ hope 
to the end," in the exercise of persevering prayer. Did not i 
the Lord cause the army of Sennacherib to “ hear a 
rumour” and return to its own land, when the arm of man j 
was powerless ? and did He not promise to spare the guilty 
city, if ten righteous men only were found in it ? Let this 
quicken and cheer on the lowliest believer, for who can tell j 
how much help and blessing his individual prayers may 
bring upon the land ! 
ALLOTMENT FARMING FOR DECEMBER. 
The month of December is indeed a dull, gloomy, and 
inactive period as to this kind of business; but, as observed 
in last month’s advice, something maj' be done preparatory 
to the coming spring, aud accessary to the general aud 
ultimate welfare of the whole. 
Fencing, draining, and such-like operations tending to 
increase the quantity and quality of the produce, as w'ell as 
to provide against trespass, are matters shamefully neglected 
by the majority of cottagers at least, and, we fear we may 
add, many amongst the allotment class. Somehow or other 
agricultural affairs would seem to be regarded with a totally 
different eye from those of a commercial character; pro¬ 
spective matters are little heeded beyond introducing manure 
and casting in the seed. How different the case with our 
manufacturing class! Show them where the introduction 
of new gearing, new wheels, <&c., is needed, and that they i 
will repay at a future period, and immediately it is carried < 
out. And yet, after all, the land is more permanently honest j 
in yielding a sura return than commercial affairs. The 
profits are certainly not so great, but they are less fluctuating. 
A man may introduce improvements at a vast expense into 
machinery, and by the time the fruition of his plans should 
take place, a commercial panic may ensue, and liis “ plant,” 
or gearing, is obliged to stand still at a loss, or be worked at 
a loss. Not so, however, the man who has drained a piece 
of land hitherto unproductive in character; he is sure, come 
what times may, to reap the benefit of his exertions, for 
there is always a. demand for agricultural produce at least; 
and although expensive and complicated farming systems 
may be and are worked to a loss, we have never yet known 
such occur with an industrious cottager, if placed on land at 
all adapted to cultural operations. 
Let allotment men, then, take heart, and be sure to take 
a lesson from the busy in our towns. We do hope to hear 
of a greater amount of perseverance as to eo:lra improve¬ 
ments of a permanent character. 
Draining. —We can do no more than repeat what was 
urged before,—that where necessary, it be carried out im¬ 
mediately. Where gentlemen carry out an allotment system 
through benevolence of feeling, it is to be hoped that they 
will either take care that the general plot is most completely 
drained at the commencement—which is by far the best, or 
that means be taken as opportunities offer; for it is indeed 
in its own nature a landlord's question. 
To those who are now projecting allotments we would say: 
select a site which has a liberal depth of soil; for of all the 
impediments to a liberal course of culture, a shallow soil is 
the most unconquerable to a labouring man. The ground 
should by all means be deep—not less than a foot, and, if 
possible, mellow in quality; for it is pitiable to see poor 
fellows fighting against wind and tide in endeavouring to 
