Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-01-08
Country Books.

love OF the county is taken. know not
Why, TO Indicate he presence OF all the cardl-
nal virtues. 1t is one o. those outlying quail
tles which are not exactly meritofious, Out
which. for that very reason, are the mere pro
Vocatlve OF pleasing self complacency. Il"
PIE pride themselves upon 1t as upon habits of
cary rising or OF answering letters by return
OF post. We recognize the virtuOus hero of a
novel as soon as we are told that the cat in
s1nctively creeps to his knee and that the little
chlid clutches bis hand to stay It's totter
to make an Indirect claim to a similar
excellence. We assert taste for sweet
and innocent pleasures, and an indiffer-
ence to the feverish excitements of artificial
Stat ment can be received after such an exor-
dunn; but contess-to be duly modest-that
love 1t best In books. In real life l have re-
matte, and most hated by those who know it
best. Not long ago heard worthy orator at
country school-treat declare to his small audi
e eh that honesty, sobrir ty and industry, in
their station III life, might POSSIBLY enable them
TO become cab-driyers In London. The precise
form OF the reward was suggested, / fancy, by
some edifying history OF an ideal cabman; but
The speaker clearly knew the road to his hear
ers' hearts Perhaps the realization of this
high destiny might dispel their illusions. Like
poor Susan, at the corner OF Wood street, they
would see
And q river fow on through the vale of Cheap
The SWISS, who at home regards mountain
as an unmltigated nuisance, Is COR once was)
capable OF developing sentimental yearnings
for the Alps at the sound OF Taraz des racP,es.
We all agree with Horace that Rome is most
attractive at Thur, and vice versa. It is the
man who has been '.long In populou5 cities
pent" Who according to Milton, enjoys
The smell Of grain or tedded grass Or kline.
Or daisy, each rural sight, each rural sound"
and the phrase is employed to illustrate the
sentiments OF being whose enjoyment OF para
disc was certainly enhanced by sufficiently
contrasted experience / do not wish to pursue
preachers and poets. I am only suggesting a
possible ground Of apology for one who prefers
the ideal mode OF rust1catioE; who can share the
worthy Johnsons love OF Chartng Cross and
sympathize with his pathetic remark When en-
ticed into the Highlands by his bear leader, that
is easy Ito sit at home and conceive rocks
neaths, AID water falls" Some Slight basis of
experience must doubtless be provided Oh which
Cpiate which stimulates the sweetest reverle
is found In chewing the cud OF
past recollectlons. But with good
Though cockney In grain. love to lean upon
the farm-yard gate; to hear Mrs. Poyser give a
bit OF her mind to the squire; to be iulled Into a
placid doze by the hummlng OF Doflecote MIL;
bestow crumbs from his grooming table upon
three generations Of Peppers and Mustards; or
TO drop into the kitchen OF good old country
Inn Inn and to smoke pipe with Tom Jones or
listen to the sinple minded philosophy OF Par
son Adams. When lift my eyes TO realities,
can dlmiy descry across the street vision of
my ne1ghbor behind bis looking glass adjusting
irtumphs with his white tie calculated to excite
the envy of BrummelL 1t is pleasant to take
down one OF the magicianS or the shelf to an
initiate my neighbor and his evening parties,
and to wander of through quiet country lanes
into some sleepy hollow OF the past.-The Corn
htU Magazine.