erecting 'emselves rude Tents and Cabins under the Hedges. Soon I began to rejoyce in the green Fields, and sayd how sweet was the Air; and Ned sayd, “Ah! —a Brick-kiln," and signed at one with his Whip. But I knew the Wind came t'other Way; and e'en Bricks are better than dead Rats.

Half-way to Amersham found Hob Carter's Wagon, with Father's Organ in't, sticking in the Hedge, without Man or Horse; and, by-and-by, came upon Hob himself, with a Party, carousing. Ned gave it him well, and sent him back at double-quick Time. "Twas too bad. He had left Town overnight, and promised to be at Chalfont by Noon. by Noon. I should have beene fain to keep him in Advance of us; howbeit, we were forct to leave him in the Rear; and, about two Miles beyond Amersham, we turned off the high Road into a country Lane, which soon brought us to a small retired Hamlet, shaded with Trees, and surrounded with pleasant Meadows and Orchards, which

was

There was

was no other than Chalfont. Mother near the Gate, putting some fine Things to bleach on a Sweetbriar-hedge. Ned stopt to chat with her, and learn where he might put his Horse, while I went to seek Father; and soon found him, sitting up in a strait Chair, outside the Garden-door. Sayd, kissing him, "Dear Father, how is't with you? Are you comfortable here?"

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Anything but that," replies he, very shortlie. "I am not in any way at my "Ease in this Place. I can get no definite "Notion of what 'tis like, and what Notion "I have is unfavourable. To finish all,

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they have stuck me up here, like a "Bottle in the Smoke."

"But here is a Cushion for you,” quoth I, running in and back agayn; " and I "will set your Seat in the Sun, and out "of the Wind, and put your Staff within "Reach."

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"Thanks, dear Deb. And now, look about, Child, and tell me, with Pre"cision, what the Place is like."

Soe

Soe I told him 'twas an irregular twostoried Tenement, parcel Wood, parcel Brick, with a deep Roof of old Tiles that had lost their Colour, and were curiouslie variegated with green and yellow Moss; and that the Eaves were dentilled, with Birds' Nests built in 'em, and a big Honeysuckle growing to the upper Floor; and there was a great and a little Gable, and a heavy Chimney-stack; a Casement of four Compartments next the Door, and another of two over it; four Latticewindows at t'other End. In Front, a steep Meadow, enamelled with Kingcups and Blue-bells; alongside the Gableend, a Village Road, with deep Cart-ruts, and Hawthorn Hedges. Onlie one small Dwelling at hand, little better than a crazy Haystack; Sheep in the Field, Bees in the Honeysuckle; and a little rippling Rivulet flowing on continually.

"Why, now you have sett me quite "at Ease!" cries he, turning his bright Eyes thankfully towards the Sky. "I