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FRIENDS IN COUNCIL.

BOOK II. (CONTINUED.)

W

CHAPTER IV.

WE had found our former reading on the downs so pleasant, that we resolved to wander forth again for our next; and when the day came, as I had by this time recovered my usual health, Milverton proposed that we should go to a mill at no great distance, called Bender's Mill, and have our reading on a knoll which overlooked the issuing waters. Ellesmere had come down the pre.vious evening, and Lucy and I joined the party at breakfast, so that we were ready early to set out on our excursion. As we went along through the close lanes near Worth Ashton, I happened to remark the beauty of the hedges there.

MILVERTON. Yes, replied Milverton, I think that the hedges are amongst the most beautiful things we have in the country. Look at that mixture of hazle and maple; what a variety of form and colour! And then the clustering clematis, like garlands thrown over the rest. See,

too, the more delicate underwood of the hedge, the fern here and there, the wild strawberry, the fox-glove and all the other things we do not know the names of, but which some Linnæus, (would we had one here!) could talk to us for hours about. I have often thought that, taken altogether, such a hedge as this is a picture of human life-beautiful and complete in its bold variety, whereas men would have one sturdy quickset of the same height and colour-both in their fellow-men and in their hedges.

ELLESMERE. Now we are off upon our similitudes. I thought it soon would be so. My dear fellow, cannot you look at a bit of nature and enjoy it for itself, without troubling yourself about resemblances, and bringing in men on all occasions?

MILVERTON. I do not look out for resemblances they at once occur to me. No wall rises up before me between the beautiful in inanimate nature and in the ways of men. must take me as I am.

You

ELLESMERE. Well, I must not be particular then: I will take you as you are; only come and sit down on this stile. You country people all walk so furiously. May we say, without offence, that the walking part of the human body

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