The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1886-09-23
ENGLISH LIFE IN TIE COUNTRY.
Tho Charms of the Home Farm-The
SchoOI-ROom-The village.

Tho Charms of the Home Farm-The
SchooI-Room-The village.
The life Of the aristocracy when the
family was alone was always moro
charming to me than the round of
amusement and gayety when their
houses were full of friends. was often
q guest when the party was so small
that the great dining was closed;
when there were three or four only at
table in some cosey little nook hung with
cretonne, instead of tapestry, and open
ing into pet corner of my lady's own
garden, instead of on the great terrace
that overlooks the drive. At these times
was admitted more freely to the bou-
doir of the hostess; and sometimes l had
a grander bed chamber, for that was al
lotted to me which, when there was
party, belonged to a married pair. But
there was shooting in the morning al
most as a matter of course, or cub hunt
ing, for the men, while of an afternoon
there was the usual drive with the ladies.
On such occasions 1 was taken to the
farm, where the supplies for the great
house are raised. Then l made acquaint-
ance with the gardner and became at
home in the acres of cOnservatoric5.
Then l was introduced to the kennels
and the preserves; learned the meth
ods of breeding pheasants and the hab-
its of the hounds. Sometimes 1 did not
go with the shooters but was allowed to
stroll over the moors with my hostess
and the children. We read aloud under
the trees, or there was a family picnic by
the brook, or a very intimate neighbor
Joined us, full of life and frolic and hoy
denish beauty. Or if I went with the
host, he told me of the management of
his estates; he took me TO the covers in
close times, explained the architecture
of his house, the history of this wing,
the antiquity of the chapel, his relations
with his rector, his dealings with his
farmers, the system of tenure, the condi-
ton of his cOttagers.
The school-room was one of my favor
ite resorts. l liked TO see the little Lady
Blanche, not years old, sitting at her
sampler, and to hear the governess mildly
rebuke Lord Henry because he could not
spell. l recollect staying at a house
where the lady superintendent of the
royal children was a guest. She was
herself the daughter of an earl, and
of majesty. She was amazed at the in
quiry. AS prince and princess and royal
highness, of course, she replied. "How
else should l speak to them?" The
princess Louise was at one time mem-
Der of singular club that performed in
oratorio at private houses. She was not
good musician, and l asked the baron
cts daughter who acted as director
whether she ventured ever to correct her
nlustrious chorister. "Oh, yes" she said;
Il often have to call out, That's a false
note, mum, and the princess takes it
very meekly; but Lord Lorne always
brides and thinks me impertinent.
Some times 1 accompanied the ladies
to the village school. The mistress was
usually farmers daughter, and, if
highly respectable, she exchanged visits
with the housekeeper at the hall. At
one ancient seat the village was in the
park; cottages, church, and school house
all within a stones throw of the masters
stable. The lord of this manor was
munificent in many ways; he had built
a set of cottages with especial care, the
laborers' families liked to see the la es
OF the house, and cordially made them
welcome, though awed by the silk
gowns and the condescension; and the !
ladies knew every old crone and every |
urchin by name. The children of |
this village came up to the servants hall