The Sun.
London, England, 1854-08-12 00:00:00

MAKING A DAY OF IT.

BY ELIZA COOK.

One June morning last summer we took it into our
head to run a few miles out towards the west of Lon-
don, and shake hands once again with the kind and
worthy Mrs. Andrews, who is the proprietress of an ex-
tensive market-garden, and who, a couple of years since,
accepted us as a favoured lodger under her hospitable
roof. We were never so comfortable in lodgings as we
were at Western Gran,..;e. We met with the desired tem-
porary home through mere accident, avid was smitten by,
eit at first sight. Fine ladies and g ntlemen might pro-
bably look askance at the old-fashioned gables, warped
timbers, 'picturesque barns„ and slightly deformed
" lean-to's," which met the- eye as we approached the
residence by the way of a grass-grown bit of lane On
nearer inspection the low ceilings and casement windows
might be objected to ; and those who desired Brussels
carpets, candelabras, and marble wash-stands, might feel
themselves "taken in," and resent the disappointment
accordingly ; but we, in pursuit of retirement, comfort,
and homeliness, and being accustomed in our early read-
ing of the Book of Life, to peruse the edition without
illustrations by " Chalons," took an immense fancy to the
"snuggery" of a sitting-room, and thought the antique
walnut-treo sideboard, with sofa and chairs to match,
the cheerful red drugget, the bunches of lavender and
preserved grasses in ancient vases, the huge punchbowls
and Noah's-ark sort of corner cupboard, very pleasant
and endurable sort of things to associate with. Then
the bedroom smelt so fresh and sweet, with its curtains
and counterpane of Mont Blanc whiteness. We liked
the quaint chest of drawers, grandfather-looking arm-
chairs, and open window ; through which the rich green
ivy thrust itself and intruded on tire toilet cover, where
it laid in gl ssy luxuriance, like a casket of scattered
emeralds. Supposing we did put up with a washing
trough in lieu of a bath, and admitting that ring stands,
scent-,.ottle-i, arid pomatum-glasses might be wanting,
nevertheless we contrived to be satisfied, arid held the
arrip:e dormitory in veneration and esteem. Then the
wide front door was always open, and it had hops and
oo ibine about it; and out of that door we stepped over
a yard or two of gravel loath on to a grassplot, and
round about the grassplot there were inuitifarious beds
of " painted ladies," hen and chicken daisies, double
rockets, brazen marygolds, modest moss-roses, florid
sweet williams, and a dazzling kaleidoscope of June
flowers. There might be a gap or two in the box-edg-
log, and a bit of vul,gar dock might be seen pushing it-
-elf between the pink larkspur. ; perhaps an unknown
weed dared to jostle the well known prince's feathers,
and au audacious old hen might be sometimes seen
scratching a bed for herself in the very heart of the Toni
Thumb geraniums ; but the blossoms were very lovely
for all that, and we gave up a Chiswick show to stay
among them. Tuen there was an arbour—such an arbour
—all fir-trees and ivy, with a queer seat and a queerer
table, made of wooden knees and elbows, all crinkein-
crankem—neither figure nor fashion about them, but
still very cosey and romantic. A heavy shower cer-
tainly dripped through, and a spider or caterpillar
oco tsionally looked in upon the inhabiting party ;
but accustomed as we were-to the hydropathic system,
and having often been on familiar terms with " jolly
great what-du-you-call-erns," we managed to indite many
a lire of dreamy nonsense in this sequestered nook, and
even ei,te, taiued a notion that it was far preferable to
the Cockney arid f emal erections, which by rural cour-
tesy we are compelled to recognise as " bowers" and
" summer-houses." Then there came endless files of
apple, plum, cherry, and pear trees ; whole regiments
of gooseberry arid currant bushes ; a perfect prairie of
strawberries ; with wide lands of beans, peas, cabbages,
and the whole essentials of Covent-garden vegetation.
We admired even the crazy old shed in the 'distance,
where the sieves were packed, and the ploughs and
rollers housed. We thought the moss-mantled water-
cask, standing at its corner, a very poetic object, espe-
cially as " Dumpling" stood drinking his fill at it when
he returned from market. He was a dear, old, fusby
sort of a quadruped, looking like a magnified :ilietland
pony, and suggested the notion as he stood of being
merely an additional tub. We should not have quar-
relled even with what Cowper delicately denominates
"the stercoraceous heap," had it not been that dead
cabbage-leaves often emitted an odour which rendered
the windward side of the said heap desirable. Altogether
Western Grange suited our primitive taste ' • and when
we add that Mrs. Andrews was a well-bred and intelli-
gent woman, although she kept a market garden ; that
she had an arnable -daughter and industrious son ; that
they all understood " Shakspere and the musical-glasses,"
as welt as the rearing of potatoes ; and that we were al-
most spoiled by their united kind attention, our readers
will not be astenished that we frequently conceive the
wish to renew the acquaintance, and have another peep
at Wester,' Grange.
The visit we have alluded to was made in the height
of the strawberry season. The day was hot. Watering-
pots were pleasant things to see lying about, and tee
shadow of a tree was au umbrageous blessing. Both
windows of railway carriages were permitted to be open
without any mentions of "a draught ;" and everybody
who dared to appear in the undress of "shirt sleeves "
so with grateful freedom. We picked a quarrel
with our breakfast, abused the soft butter, and treated
the rasher of bacon with appetiteless indifference,—we
fear our state of temper was getting as sultry as the
heather, when we suddenly bathoueht of a run down to
our olden haunt. We effected the trans it in double
quick trine, and found ourselves up to our eyes in straw
berries by noon,

We rnust now inform our readers that among the
" uttaetees" of Mrs. Andrews's out-door esta-
blishment were six women, known as Polly, Hetty,
,3elina, Peggy, Martha, and Rachel,—and two men,
Dick, the caner and ploughman, arid Harry, odd man
or general. At some busy periods the close labour id
the..e individuals was of vital importance. A fair share
of idleness was tolerated at leisure intervals, for Mrs.
Indrews is
_hy no means a slave-driver, and allows
a degree of Christian charity to exert itself toward
"all that are within her gates." We had become
tolerably- well acquainted with these "helps,"
and f rttud theM, on the whole; to be decently conducted
persons. Per haps Betty, Martha, and Rachel might
not have gained the approbation of Mrs. Hannah More,
touching their minute system of morals and manners.
But Pc,iy, Selina, and Peggy were considered to be very
respectable. Tire last mentioned was a detour, meek,
shy-looking young woman, who always answered a ques-
tion as though her tongue was made of white satin, arid
the use of language would soil it. Polly was more
c,,me-at-ab!e, and had a dissipated husband and three
children to manage ; and Selina was considered to be
one of the prettiest and most prudent girls in the neigh-
bourhood. Dick was never known to commit an excess,

and was supposed to be saving money. Harry was not
"a p, rfect Joseph," but he worked hard and behaved
well to his employers, which is more than we can say of

many prime ministerstt
thel iu day of ou
serve arvisit
ration.
It so happened that
of the annual provincial laces, preceded that
little distance, and orders had been given by various
which took place ata
parties for a large quantity of strawberries to be deli-
vered as soon as possible. Mrs. Andrews was anxious
that the fruit should be got ready promptly, and in nice
condition ; and all hands were set to work at twelve
o'clock to pick, sort, " top up," and pack. We stood
among the strawberries, watching the labour with in-
terest, and learning something of the business ; when
the benevolence of one of our party suggested that a
trifle to each of the handmaidens of the vineyard would
not be ill bestowed. A small sum was accordingly dis-
tribute:3, and we returned to the house to partake of
luncheon. After an hour or two's gossip, we strolled
towards the field of potties again, in company with Mrs.
Andrews and her son and daughter.
"Where are all the women ?" exclaimed Frank An-
drews ; " there has't been a strawberry picked since we
left. What are they after ?"
Sure enough not the trace of a woman or man either
was to be seen, and great wonder existed as to what had
become of them at such a time of necessity. We stood
some time in speculating perplexity, when, suddenly, at
the gate close by us, le ding into the village, there ap-
peared the form of Peggy, who opened the said gate
with a most unmistakeable air of enerizetic independence,
slamming it behind her with a violent 'flourish of strength,
quite unnecessary to effect that purpose. Now, Peggy
always prided herself on her extreme quietness and
modesty of demeanour and conduct, and, strange to say,
her attire was now as much out of order as her manners
She approached with a swinging walk, and it might be
observed that the handkerchief which usually wrapped
her neck and shoulders in a very Quaker-like style, was
extremely degage. Her bonnet was worn in the mathe-
matical fashion known ac " nine bob square." Her
apron had dropped much lower than its wont, and her
gown was tucked much higher. Her hair, generally
arrangel " a la. Madonna," was now " c't la anyhow."
Her face was singularly rich in complexion, and hir eyes
stool out in very hold relief, considexingtheir character
fir down•eist diffidence,

" Well, Peggy," said , Mrs. Andrews, as the lady
named nigh, " what is the meaning of this ? Why are
you not at work ? You know the fruit must be sent to-
night."

Can't help it, marm," replied Peggy in a remark-
ably free and easy tone of volubility : " there's a new
beer-shop opened down the way, and the landlord's
treated us to some gin and fourpenny,' and the
butcher's give us some cider, and we've all got a bit of
money in our pockets, and Dick and Harry's with us,
and we want a jollification, so we just mean to make a
day of it."

" And pray what is to be done about the straw-
berries ?" said Frank.
"Can't help it, sir. We've made up our minds, and
we mean to make a day of it. I thought I'd just come
and tell you that we was at the Red Lion," and here
Peggy made a rash attempt to adjust her bonnet, which
added the tenth beib to its Elucidian arrangement. "Can't
help it, marm," repeated she with forcible intonation
"I
must go now, please. We're all at the Red Lion,
and we mean to make a day of it. Good morning,
maim, and here Peggy essayed a parting courtesy,
which resolved itself into something between a stumble
and•a slide, as she turned round on her way to the
village.

TO reason with a woman in such a decided state of
opinion would have been useless, but no slight conster-
nation was excited by the sudden revolt. Frank in-
dulged in a few anathemas against beer-shops in general,
and the Red Lion in particular. There was no help in
the dilemma. To get fresh hands at such a busy junc•
tore was impossible, and the consequences were, that
Mrs. Andrews lost a considerable sum of money, and
incurred a slur on her reputation for obliging
punctuality.
It tuned nut showery in the evening, and we grate-
fully accepted-the offer of a bed. Th-e followiii morning
some interested anxiety was felt as to the results of the
preceding day's -dissipation; and the facts elicited by
degrees afforded the following amount, of intelligence.
Gin, ale; "cider, .arid that class of beverigei hid keptihe.
Mos sad patinas occFPS !!/44 hod 94,44 14uset,