om which the hopes of ample and abundant harvests always spring. Here,
fixed in the ground, stood the spades of a boon* of laborers, who, as
was evident from that circumstance, were then at breakfast; in another
place might be seen the plough and a portion of the tackle lying beside
it, being expressive of the same fact. Around them, on every side, in
hedges, ditches, green fields, and meadows, the birds seemed
animated into joyous activity or incessant battle, by the business of
nest-building or love. Whilst all around, from earth and air, streamed
the ceaseless voice of universal melody and song.

* A considerable number of men working together.

On reaching the gate, Peety Dhu and his pretty daughter turned up
towards the house we have alluded to--which was the residence of a man
named Burke. On reaching it they were observed by a couple of large
dogs, who, partaking of the hospitable but neglected habits of the
family, first approached and looked at them for a moment, then wagged
their tails by way of welcome, and immediately scampered off into the
kitchen to forage for themselves.

Burke's house and farmyard, though strongly indicative of wealth and
abundance in the owner, were, notwithstanding, evidently the property
of a man whose mind was far back in a knowledge of agriculture, and the
industrial pursuits that depend upon it. His haggard was slovenly in the
extreme, and his farmyard exceedingly offensive to most of the senses;
everything lay about in a careless and neglected manner;--wheelbarrows
without their trundles--sacks for days under the rain that fell from
the eaves of the houses--other implements embedded in mud--car-houses
tumbling down--the pump without a handle--the garden-gate open, and the
pigs hard at work destroying the vegetables, and rooting up the garden
in all directions. In fact, the very animals about the house were
conscious of the character of the people, and acted accordingly. If one
of the dogs, for instance, was hunted at the pigs, he ran in an apparent
fury towards that which happened to be nearest him, which merely lifted
its head and listened for a time--the dog, with loud and boisterous
barking, seizing its ear, led it along for three or four yards in that
position, after which, upon the pig demurring to proceed any further,
he very quietly dropped it and trotted in again, leaving the destructive
animal to resume its depredations.

The house inside bore the same character.