RICHES. 
247 
the toiling peasantry ; I know that it is. In 
the days of boyhood I have partaken their 
harvest labours, and listened to the overflow¬ 
ings of their hearts as they sate amid the 
sheaves beneath the fine blue sky, or among 
the rich herbage of some green headland be¬ 
neath the shade of a tree, while the cool keg 
plentifully replenished the horn ; and sweet 
after exertion were the contents of the har¬ 
vest-field basket. I know that the poor har¬ 
vesters are amongst the most thankful con- 
templators of the bounty of Providence, 
though so little of it falls to their share. To 
them harvest comes as an annual festivity. 
To their healthful frames, the heat of the 
open fields, which would oppress the languid 
and relaxed, is but an exhilarating glow. 
The inspiration of the clear blue sky above, 
and of scenes of plenty around them; and the 
very circumstance of their being drawn from 
their several dwellings at this bright season, 
open their hearts, and give a life to their me¬ 
mories j and many an anecdote and history 
from the ‘ simple annals of the poor ’ are there 
related, which need only to pass through the 
mind of a Wordsworth or a Crabbe, to be¬ 
come immortal in their mirth or woe.” 
