THE VIOLET OF THE VALLEY. 
27 
along the narrow level of a ledge, there making a 
graceful bend round the bole of some majestic tree, 
and farther on climbing upward, with a steep, 
breathless ascent, until the level brow of the hill 
was gained. Then, far as the eye could wander, it 
commanded a view, over a vast outstretched land¬ 
scape, diversified with spires, and plains, and woods, 
intercepted every way with a broad clear river, that 
went rolling and bending along, until it dwindled 
into a mere thread of silver, as it was lost in the 
distance. On the brow of this beautiful hill a plain 
rustic seat had been erected by the inhabitants of 
the cottage in the valley; and as there was no 
thoroughfare beyond what was traversed by the 
neighbouring villagers, who came morning and 
evening to milk the cows, which were heard lowing 
amongst the hilly fields, the summit, like the valley 
it overlooked, was seldom trodden by the foot of a 
stranger. And often on a summer’s evening, when 
the labour of the day was over, might the form of a 
lovely maiden be seen leaving that cottage, and 
climbing the steep ascent of the hill, carrying either 
a little work-basket on her arm, or a book in her 
hand, and every now and then pausing to look over 
the landscape, as she threaded her way to the rustic 
seat. Sometimes she sent forth her voice in gushing 
music, which was prolonged and reverberated through 
the dale, as if the echoes of the valley were her 
