Thereisalsoasolemnrespectpaidbythetravellertothepassing
　　funeralinthesesequesteredplaces；forsuchspectacles，occurring
　　amongthequietabodesofnature，sinkdeepintothesoul。Asthe
　　mourningtrainapproaches，hepauses，uncovered，toletitgoby；he
　　thenfollowssilentlyintherear；sometimesquitetothegrave，at
　　othertimesforafewhundredyards，and，havingpaidthistribute
　　ofrespecttothedeceased，turnsandresumeshisjourney。
　　TherichveinofmelancholywhichrunsthroughtheEnglish
　　character，andgivesitsomeofitsmosttouchingandennobling
　　graces，isfinelyevidencedinthesepatheticcustoms，andinthe
　　solicitudeshownbythecommonpeopleforanhonoredandapeaceful
　　grave。Thehumblestpeasant，whatevermaybehislowlylotwhile
　　living，isanxiousthatsomelittlerespectmaybepaidtohis
　　remains。SirThomasOverbury，describingthe"faireandhappy
　　milkmaid，"observes，"thuslivesshe，andallhercareis，thatshe
　　maydieinthespring—time，tohavestoreofflowersstuckeuponher
　　windingsheet。"Thepoets，too，whoalwaysbreathethefeelingofa
　　nation，continuallyadverttothisfondsolicitudeaboutthegrave。In
　　"TheMaid’sTragedy，"byBeaumontandFletcher，thereisabeautiful
　　instanceofthekind，describingthecapriciousmelancholyofa
　　broken—heartedgirl：
　　Whensheseesabank
　　Stuckfullofflowers，she，withasigh，willtell
　　Herservants，whataprettyplaceitwere
　　Toburyloversin；andmakehermaids
　　Pluck’em，andstrewheroverlikeacorse。
　　Thecustomofdecoratinggraveswasonceuniversallyprevalent：
　　osierswerecarefullybentoverthemtokeeptheturfuninjured，and
　　aboutthemwereplantedevergreensandflowers。"Weadorntheir
　　graves，"saysEvelyn，inhisSylva，"withflowersandredolentplants，
　　justemblemsofthelifeofman，whichhasbeencomparedinHoly
　　Scripturestothosefadingbeauties，whoserootsbeingburiedin
　　dishonor，riseagaininglory。"Thisusagehasnowbecomeextremely
　　rareinEngland；butitmaystillbemetwithinthechurch—yardsof
　　retiredvillages，amongtheWelshmountains；andIrecollectan
　　instanceofitatthesmalltownofRuthen，whichliesatthehead
　　ofthebeautifulvaleofClewyd。Ihavebeentoldalsobyafriend，
　　whowaspresentatthefuneralofayounggirlinGlamorganshire，that
　　thefemaleattendantshadtheirapronsfullofflowers，which，assoon
　　asthebodywasinterred，theystuckaboutthegrave。
　　Henoticedseveralgraveswhichhadbeendecoratedinthesame
　　manner。Astheflowershadbeenmerelystuckintheground，andnot
　　planted，theyhadsoonwithered，andmightbeseeninvariousstates
　　ofdecay；somedrooping，othersquiteperished。Theywereafterwards
　　tobesupplantedbyholly，rosemary，andotherevergreens；whichon
　　somegraveshadgrowntogreatluxuriance，andovershadowedthe
　　tombstones。
　　Therewasformerlyamelancholyfancifulnessinthearrangementof
　　theserusticofferings，thathadsomethinginittrulypoetical。The
　　rosewassometimesblendedwiththelily，toformageneralemblem
　　offrailmortality。"Thissweetflower，"saidEvelyn，"borneona
　　branchsetwiththorns，andaccompaniedwiththelily，arenatural
　　hieroglyphicsofourfugitive，umbratile，anxious，andtransitory
　　life，which，makingsofairashowforatime，isnotyetwithout
　　itsthornsandcrosses。"Thenatureandcoloroftheflowers，andof
　　theribbonswithwhichtheyweretied，hadoftenaparticular
　　referencetothequalitiesorstoryofthedeceased，orwere
　　expressiveofthefeelingsofthemourner。Inanoldpoem，entitled
　　"Corydon’sDolefulKnell，"aloverspecifiesthedecorationshe
　　intendstouse：
　　Agarlandshallbeframed
　　Byartandnature’sskill，
　　Ofsundry—coloredflowers，
　　Intokenofgood—will。
　　Andsundry—color’dribands
　　OnitIwillbestow；
　　Butchieflyblackeandyellowe
　　Withhertograveshallgo。
　　I’lldeckhertombwithflowers，
　　Theraresteverseen；
　　Andwithmytearsasshowers，
　　I’llkeepthemfreshandgreen。
　　Thewhiterose，wearetold，wasplantedatthegraveofavirgin；
　　herchapletwastiedwithwhiteribbons，intokenofherspotless
　　innocence；thoughsometimesblackribbonswereintermingled，to
　　bespeakthegriefofthesurvivors。Theredrosewasoccasionallyused
　　inremembranceofsuchashadbeenremarkableforbenevolence；but
　　rosesingeneralwereappropriatedtothegravesoflovers。Evelyn
　　tellsusthatthecustomwasnotaltogetherextinctinhistime，
　　nearhisdwellinginthecountyofSurrey，"wherethemaidensyearly
　　plantedanddeckedthegravesoftheirdefunctsweetheartswith
　　rose—bushes。"AndCamdenlikewiseremarks，inhisBritannia："Here
　　isalsoacertaincustom，observedtimeoutofmind，ofplanting
　　rose—treesuponthegraves，especiallybytheyoungmenandmaids
　　whohavelosttheirloves；sothatthischurch—yardisnowfullof
　　them。"
　　Whenthedeceasedhadbeenunhappyintheirloves，emblemsofamore
　　gloomycharacterwereused，suchastheyewandcypress；andif
　　flowerswerestrewn，theywereofthemostmelancholycolors。Thus，in
　　poemsbyThomasStanley，Esq。（publishedin1651），isthefollowing
　　stanza：
　　Yetstrew
　　Uponmydismallgrave
　　Suchofferingsasyouhave，
　　Forsakencypresseandsadyewe；
　　Forkinderflowerscantakenobirth
　　Orgrowthfromsuchunhappyearth。
　　In"TheMaid’sTragedy，"apatheticlittleairisintroduced，
　　illustrativeofthismodeofdecoratingthefuneralsoffemaleswho
　　hadbeendisappointedinlove：
　　Layagarlandonmyhearse，
　　Ofthedismallyew，
　　Maidens，willowbrancheswear，
　　SayIdiedtrue。
　　Mylovewasfalse，butIwasfirm，
　　Frommyhourofbirth，
　　Uponmyburiedbodylie
　　Lightly，gentleearth。
　　Thenaturaleffectofsorrowoverthedeadistorefineand
　　elevatethemind；andwehaveaproofofitinthepurityofsentiment
　　andunaffectedeleganceofthoughtwhichpervadedthewholeofthese
　　funeralobservances。Thus，itwasanespecialprecautionthatnonebut
　　sweet—scentedevergreensandflowersshouldbeemployed。Theintention
　　seemstohavebeentosoftenthehorrorsofthetomb，tobeguilethe
　　mindfrombroodingoverthedisgracesofperishingmortality，andto
　　associatethememoryofthedeceasedwiththemostdelicateand
　　beautifulobjectsinnature。Thereisadismalprocessgoingoninthe
　　grave，eredustcanreturntoitskindreddust，whichthe
　　imaginationshrinksfromcontemplating；andweseekstilltothink
　　oftheformwehaveloved，withthoserefinedassociationswhichit
　　awakenedwhenbloomingbeforeusinyouthandbeauty。"Layheri’
　　theearth，"saysLaertes，ofhisvirginsister，
　　Andfromherfairandunpollutedflesh
　　Mayvioletsspring！
　　Herrick，also，inhis"DirgeofJephtha，"poursforthafragrant
　　flowofpoeticalthoughtandimage，whichinamannerembalmsthedead
　　intherecollectionsoftheliving。
　　Sleepinthypeace，thybedofspice，
　　AndmakethisplaceallParadise：
　　Maysweetsgrowhere！andsmokefromhence
　　Fatfrankincense。
　　Letbalmeandcassiasendtheirscent
　　Fromoutthymaidenmonument。******
　　Mayallshiemaidsatwontedhours
　　Comeforthtostrewthytombewithflowers！
　　Mayvirgins，whentheycometomourn，
　　Maleincenseburn
　　Uponthinealtar！thenreturn
　　Andleavetheesleepinginthineurn。
　　ImightcrowdmypageswithextractsfromtheolderBritishpoets
　　whowrotewhentheseritesweremoreprevalent，anddelighted
　　frequentlytoalludetothem；butIhavealreadyquotedmorethanis
　　necessary。Icannothoweverrefrainfromgivingapassagefrom
　　Shakespeare，eventhoughitshouldappeartrite；whichillustratesthe
　　emblematicalmeaningoftenconveyedinthesefloraltributes；andat
　　thesametimepossessesthatmagicoflanguageandappositenessof
　　imageryforwhichhestandspre—eminent。
　　Withfairestflowers，
　　Whilstsummerlasts，andIlivehere，Fidele，
　　I’llsweetenthysadgrave；thoushaltnotlack
　　Theflowerthat’slikethyface，paleprimrose；nor
　　Theazuredharebell，likethyveins；no，nor
　　Theleafofeglantine；whomnottoslander，
　　Outsweeten’dnotthybreath。
　　Thereiscertainlysomethingmoreaffectinginthesepromptand
　　spontaneousofferingsofnature，thaninthemostcostlymonuments
　　ofart；thehandstrewstheflowerwhiletheheartiswarm，andthe
　　tearfallsonthegraveasaffectionisbindingtheosierroundthe
　　sod；butpathosexpiresundertheslowlaborofthechisel，andis
　　chilledamongthecoldconceitsofsculpturedmarble。
　　Itisgreatlytoberegretted，thatacustomsotrulyelegantand
　　touchinghasdisappearedfromgeneraluse，andexistsonlyinthemost
　　remoteandinsignificantvillages。Butitseemsasifpoetical
　　customalwaysshunsthewalksofcultivatedsociety。Inproportion
　　aspeoplegrowpolitetheyceasetobepoetical。Theytalkof
　　poetry，buttheyhavelearnttocheckitsfreeimpulses，todistrust
　　itssallyingemotions，andtosupplyitsmostaffectingand
　　picturesqueusages，bystudiedformandpompousceremonial。Few
　　pageantscanbemorestatelyandfrigidthananEnglishfuneralin
　　town。Itismadeupofshowandgloomyparade；mourningcarriages，
　　mourninghorses，mourningplumes，andhirelingmourners，whomakea
　　mockeryofgrief。"Thereisagravedigged，"saysJeremyTaylor，
　　"andasolemnmourning，andagreattalkintheneighborhood，andwhen
　　thedaiesarefinished，theyshallbe，andtheyshallberememberedno
　　more。"Theassociateinthegayandcrowdedcityissoonforgotten；
　　thehurryingsuccessionofnewintimatesandnewpleasureseffaceshim
　　fromourminds，andtheveryscenesandcirclesinwhichhemoved
　　areincessantlyfluctuating。Butfuneralsinthecountryare
　　solemnlyimpressive。Thestrokeofdeathmakesawiderspaceinthe
　　villagecircle，andisanawfuleventinthetranquiluniformityof
　　rurallife。Thepassingbelltollsitsknellineveryear；itsteals
　　withitspervadingmelancholyoverhillandvale，andsaddensall
　　thelandscape。
　　Thefixedandunchangingfeaturesofthecountryalsoperpetuatethe
　　memoryofthefriendwithwhomweonceenjoyedthem；whowasthe
　　companionofourmostretiredwalks，andgaveanimationtoevery
　　lonelyscene。Hisideaisassociatedwitheverycharmofnature；we
　　hearhisvoiceintheechowhichheoncedelightedtoawaken；his
　　spirithauntsthegrovewhichheoncefrequented；wethinkofhimin
　　thewilduplandsolitude，oramidstthepensivebeautyofthe
　　valley。Inthefreshnessofjoyousmorning，werememberhisbeaming
　　smilesandboundinggayety；andwhensobereveningreturnswithits
　　gatheringshadowsandsubduingquiet，wecalltomindmanya
　　twilighthourofgentletalkandsweet—souledmelancholy。
　　Eachlonelyplaceshallhimrestore，
　　Forhimthetearbedulyshed；
　　Beloved，tilllifecancharmnomore；
　　Andmourn’dtillpity’sselfbedead。
　　Anothercausethatperpetuatesthememoryofthedeceasedinthe
　　countryisthatthegraveismoreimmediatelyinsightofthe
　　survivors。Theypassitontheirwaytoprayer，itmeetstheireyes
　　whentheirheartsaresoftenedbytheexercisesofdevotion；they
　　lingeraboutitontheSabbath，whenthemindisdisengagedfrom
　　worldlycares，andmostdisposedtoturnasidefrompresent
　　pleasuresandpresentloves，andtositdownamongthesolemnmementos
　　ofthepast。InNorthWalesthepeasantrykneelandprayoverthe
　　gravesoftheirdeceasedfriends，forseveralSundaysafterthe
　　interment；andwherethetenderriteofstrewingandplanting
　　flowersisstillpractised，itisalwaysrenewedonEaster，
　　Whitsuntide，andotherfestivals，whentheseasonbringsthecompanion
　　offormerfestivitymorevividlytomind。Itisalsoinvariably
　　performedbythenearestrelativesandfriends；nomenialsnor
　　hirelingsareemployed；andifaneighboryieldsassistance，it
　　wouldbedeemedaninsulttooffercompensation。
　　Ihavedweltuponthisbeautifulruralcustom，because，asitisone
　　ofthelast，soisitoneoftheholiestofficesoflove。Thegraveis
　　theordealoftrueaffection。Itistherethatthedivinepassionof
　　thesoulmanifestsitssuperioritytotheinstinctiveimpulseof
　　mereanimalattachment。Thelattermustbecontinuallyrefreshedand
　　keptalivebythepresenceofitsobject；butthelovethatis
　　seatedinthesoulcanliveonlongremembrance。Themereinclinations
　　ofsenselanguishanddeclinewiththecharmswhichexcitedthem，
　　andturnwithshudderingdisgustfromthedismalprecinctsofthe
　　tomb；butitisthencethattrulyspiritualaffectionrises，
　　purifiedfromeverysensualdesire，andreturns，likeaholyflame，to
　　illumineandsanctifytheheartofthesurvivor。
　　Thesorrowforthedeadistheonlysorrowfromwhichwerefuseto
　　bedivorced。Everyotherwoundweseektoheal—everyotheraffliction
　　toforget；butthiswoundweconsideritadutytokeepopen—this
　　afflictionwecherishandbroodoverinsolitude。Whereisthe
　　motherwhowouldwillinglyforgettheinfantthatperishedlikea
　　blossomfromherarms，thougheveryrecollectionisapang？Whereis
　　thechildthatwouldwillinglyforgetthemosttenderofparents，
　　thoughtorememberbebuttolament？Who，eveninthehourofagony，
　　wouldforgetthefriendoverwhomhemourns？Who，evenwhenthetomb
　　isclosingupontheremainsofherhemostloved；whenhefeelshis
　　heart，asitwere，crushedintheclosingofitsportal；would
　　acceptofconsolationthatmustbeboughtbyforgetfulness？—No，the
　　lovewhichsurvivesthetombisoneofthenoblestattributesofthe
　　soul。Ifithasitswoes，ithaslikewiseitsdelights；andwhenthe
　　overwhelmingburstofgriefiscalmedintothegentletearof
　　recollection；whenthesuddenanguishandtheconvulsiveagonyover
　　thepresentruinsofallthatwemostloved，issoftenedawayinto
　　pensivemeditationonallthatitwasinthedaysofitsloveliness—
　　whowouldrootoutsuchasorrowfromtheheart？Thoughitmay
　　sometimesthrowapassingcloudoverthebrighthourofgayety，or
　　spreadadeepersadnessoverthehourofgloom，yetwhowouldexchange
　　itevenforthesongofpleasure，ortheburstofrevelry？No，there
　　isavoicefromthetombsweeterthansong。Thereisaremembrance
　　ofthedeadtowhichweturnevenfromthecharmsoftheliving。Oh，
　　thegrave！—thegrave！—Itburieseveryerror—coverseverydefect—
　　extinguisheseveryresentment！Fromitspeacefulbosomspringnonebut
　　fondregretsandtenderrecollections。Whocanlookdownuponthe
　　graveevenofanenemy，andnotfeelacompunctiousthrob，thathe
　　shouldeverhavewarredwiththepoorhandfulofearththatlies
　　moulderingbeforehim。
　　Butthegraveofthoseweloved—whataplaceformeditation！
　　Thereitisthatwecallupinlongreviewthewholehistoryofvirtue
　　andgentleness，andthethousandendearmentslavisheduponusalmost
　　unheededinthedailyintercourseofintimacy—thereitisthatwe
　　dwelluponthetenderness，thesolemn，awfultendernessoftheparting
　　scene。Thebedofdeath，withallitsstifledgriefs—itsnoiseless
　　attendance—itsmute，watchfulassiduities。Thelasttestimoniesof
　　expiringlove！Thefeeble，fluttering，thrilling—oh！how
　　thrilling！—pressureofthehand！Thefaint，falteringaccents，
　　strugglingindeathtogiveonemoreassuranceofaffection！The
　　lastfondlookoftheglazingeye，turneduponusevenfromthe
　　thresholdofexistence！
　　Ay，gotothegraveofburiedlove，andmeditate！Theresettlethe
　　accountwiththyconscienceforeverypastbenefitunrequitedevery
　　pastendearmentunregarded，ofthatdepartedbeing，whocannever—
　　never—neverreturntobesoothedbythycontrition！
　　Ifthouartachild，andhasteveraddedasorrowtothesoul，or
　　afurrowtothesilveredbrowofanaffectionateparent—ifthouarta
　　husband，andhastevercausedthefondbosomthatventureditswhole
　　happinessinthyarmstodoubtonemomentofthykindnessorthy
　　truth—ifthouartafriend，andhasteverwronged，inthought，or
　　word，ordeed，thespiritthatgenerouslyconfidedinthee—ifthou
　　artalover，andhastevergivenoneunmeritedpangtothattrueheart
　　whichnowliescoldandstillbeneaththyfeet；—thenbesurethat
　　everyunkindlook，everyungraciousword，everyungentleaction，
　　willcomethrongingbackuponthymemory，andknockingdolefullyat
　　thysoul—thenbesurethatthouwiltliedownsorrowingandrepentant
　　onthegrave，anduttertheunheardgroan，andpourtheunavailing
　　tear；moredeep，morebitter，becauseunheardandunavailing。
　　Thenweavethychapletofflowers，andstrewthebeautiesof
　　natureaboutthegrave；consolethybrokenspirit，ifthoucanst，with
　　thesetender，yetfutiletributesofregret；buttakewarningbythe
　　bitternessofthisthycontriteafflictionoverthedead，and
　　henceforthbemorefaithfulandaffectionateinthedischargeofthy
　　dutiestotheliving。
　　Inwritingtheprecedingarticle，itwasnotintendedtogiveafull
　　detailofthefuneralcustomsoftheEnglishpeasantry，butmerely
　　tofurnishafewhintsandquotationsillustrativeofparticular
　　rites，tobeappended，bywayofnote，toanotherpaper，whichhas
　　beenwithheld。Thearticleswelledinsensiblyintoitspresentform，
　　andthisismentionedasanapologyforsobriefandcasualanotice
　　oftheseusages，aftertheyhavebeenamplyandlearnedlyinvestigated
　　inotherworks。
　　Imustobserve，also，thatIamwellawarethatthiscustomof
　　adorninggraveswithflowersprevailsinothercountriesbesides
　　England。Indeed，insomeitismuchmoregeneral，andisobservedeven
　　bytherichandfashionable；butitisthenapttoloseits
　　simplicity，andtodegenerateintoaffectation。Bright，inhistravels
　　inLowerHungary，tellsofmonumentsofmarble，andrecessesformed
　　forretirement，withseatsplacedamongbowersofgreenhouseplants；
　　andthatthegravesgenerallyarecoveredwiththegayestflowersof
　　theseason。Hegivesacasualpictureoffilialpiety，whichI
　　cannotbuttranscribe；forItrustitisasusefulasitis
　　delightful，toillustratetheamiablevirtuesofthesex。"WhenI
　　wasatBerlin，"sayshe，"IfollowedthecelebratedIfflandtothe
　　grave。Mingledwithsomepomp，youmighttracemuchrealfeeling。In
　　themidstoftheceremony，myattentionwasattractedbyayoung
　　woman，whostoodonamoundofearth，newlycoveredwithturf，which
　　sheanxiouslyprotectedfromthefeetofthepassingcrowd。Itwasthe
　　tombofherparent；andthefigureofthisaffectionatedaughter
　　presentedamonumentmorestrikingthanthemostcostlyworkofart。"
　　IwillbarelyaddaninstanceofsepulchraldecorationthatIonce
　　metwithamongthemountainsofSwitzerland。Itwasatthevillage
　　ofGersau，whichstandsonthebordersoftheLakeofLucerne，at
　　thefootofMountRigi。Itwasoncethecapitalofaminiature
　　republic，shutupbetweentheAlpsandtheLake，andaccessibleonthe
　　landsideonlybyfoot—paths。Thewholeforceoftherepublicdid
　　notexceedsixhundredfightingmen；andafewmilesofcircumference，
　　scoopedoutasitwerefromthebosomofthemountains，comprised
　　itsterritory。ThevillageofGersauseemedseparatedfromtherestof
　　theworld，andretainedthegoldensimplicityofapurerage。Ithada
　　smallchurch，withaburying—groundadjoining。Attheheadsofthe
　　graveswereplacedcrossesofwoodoriron。Onsomewereaffixed
　　miniatures，rudelyexecuted，butevidentlyattemptsatlikenessesof
　　thedeceased。Onthecrosseswerehungchapletsofflowers，some
　　withering，othersfresh，asifoccasionallyrenewed。Ipausedwith
　　interestatthisscene；IfeltthatIwasatthesourceofpoetical
　　description，forthesewerethebeautifulbutunaffectedofferings
　　oftheheartwhichpoetsarefaintorecord。Inagayerandmore
　　populousplace，Ishouldhavesuspectedthemtohavebeensuggestedby
　　factitioussentiment，derivedfrombooks；butthegoodpeopleof
　　Gersauknewlittleofbooks；therewasnotanovelnoralovepoem
　　inthevillage；andIquestionwhetheranypeasantoftheplace
　　dreamt，whilehewastwiningafreshchapletforthegraveofhis
　　mistress，thathewasfulfillingoneofthemostfancifulritesof
　　poeticaldevotion，andthathewaspracticallyapoet。
　　THEEND。
　　1819—20
　　THESKETCHBOOK
　　RURALLIFEINENGLAND
　　byWashingtonIrving
　　Oh！friendlytothebestpursuitsofman，
　　Friendlytothought，tovirtue，andtopeace，
　　Domesticlifeinruralpleasurespast！
　　COWPER。
　　THEstrangerwhowouldformacorrectopinionoftheEnglish
　　charactermustnotconfinehisobservationstothemetropolis。Hemust
　　goforthintothecountry；hemustsojourninvillagesandhamlets；he
　　mustvisitcastles，villas，farm—houses，cottages；hemustwander
　　throughparksandgardens；alonghedgesandgreenlanes；hemust
　　loiteraboutcountrychurches；attendwakesandfairs，andotherrural
　　festivals；andcopewiththepeopleinalltheirconditionsandall
　　theirhabitsandhumors。
　　Insomecountriesthelargecitiesabsorbthewealthandfashion
　　ofthenation；theyaretheonlyfixedabodesofelegantand
　　intelligentsociety，andthecountryisinhabitedalmostentirelyby
　　boorishpeasantry。InEngland，onthecontrary，themetropolisisa
　　meregathering—place，orgeneralrendezvous，ofthepoliteclasses，
　　wheretheydevoteasmallportionoftheyeartoahurryofgayetyand
　　dissipation，and，havingindulgedthiskindofcarnival，return
　　againtotheapparentlymorecongenialhabitsofrurallife。The
　　variousordersofsocietyarethereforediffusedoverthewhole
　　surfaceofthekingdom，andthemostretiredneighborhoodsafford
　　specimensofthedifferentranks。
　　TheEnglish，infact，arestronglygiftedwiththeruralfeeling。
　　Theypossessaquicksensibilitytothebeautiesofnature，andakeen
　　relishforthepleasuresandemploymentsofthecountry。This
　　passionseemsinherentinthem。Eventheinhabitantsofcities，born
　　andbroughtupamongbrickwallsandbustlingstreets，enterwith
　　facilityintoruralhabits，evinceatactforruraloccupation。The
　　merchanthashissnugretreatinthevicinityofthemetropolis，where
　　heoftendisplaysasmuchprideandzealinthecultivationofhis
　　flower—garden，andthematuringofhisfruits，ashedoesinthe
　　conductofhisbusiness，andthesuccessofacommercialenterprise。
　　Eventhoselessfortunateindividuals，whoaredoomedtopasstheir
　　livesinthemidstofdinandtraffic，contrivetohavesomethingthat
　　shallremindthemofthegreenaspectofnature。Inthemostdark
　　anddingyquartersofthecity，thedrawing—roomwindowresembles
　　frequentlyabankofflowers；everyspotcapableofvegetationhasits
　　grassplotandflower—bed；andeverysquareitsmimicpark，laidout
　　withpicturesquetaste，andgleamingwithrefreshingverdure。
　　ThosewhoseetheEnglishmanonlyintownareapttoforman
　　unfavorableopinionofhissocialcharacter。Heiseitherabsorbed
　　inbusiness，ordistractedbythethousandengagementsthat
　　dissipatetime，thought，andfeeling，inthishugemetropolis。Hehas，
　　therefore，toocommonlyalookofhurryandabstraction。Whereverhe
　　happenstobe，heisonthepointofgoingsomewhereelse；atthe
　　momentheistalkingononesubject，hismindiswanderingtoanother；
　　andwhilepayingafriendlyvisit，heiscalculatinghowheshall
　　economizetimesoastopaytheothervisitsallottedinthe
　　morning。Animmensemetropolis，likeLondon，iscalculatedtomakemen
　　selfishanduninteresting。Intheircasualandtransientmeetings，
　　theycanbutdealbrieflyincommonplaces。Theypresentbutthecold
　　superficiesofcharacter—itsrichandgenialqualitieshavenotime
　　tobewarmedintoaflow。
　　ItisinthecountrythattheEnglishmangivesscopetohis
　　naturalfeelings。Hebreaksloosegladlyfromthecoldformalitiesand
　　negativecivilitiesoftown；throwsoffhishabitsofshyreserve，and
　　becomesjoyousandfree—hearted。Hemanagestocollectroundhimall
　　theconveniencesandeleganciesofpolitelife，andtobanishits
　　restraints。Hiscountry—seataboundswitheveryrequisite，either
　　forstudiousretirement，tastefulgratification，orruralexercise。
　　Books，paintings，music，horses，dogs，andsportingimplementsof
　　allkinds，areathand。Heputsnoconstrainteitheruponhisguests
　　orhimself，butinthetruespiritofhospitalityprovidesthemeans
　　ofenjoyment，andleaveseveryonetopartakeaccordingtohis
　　inclination。