rest to their view
of the case. They, however, found plenty to amuse them as they drove
along. The early days of the holidays are generally very jolly days--
all the fun is to come; the amusements in store are almost uncountable;
and though they may have been disappointed during a former summer, they
are sure, so they think, not to be this. If they are, they will make
amends for it next year. At last the pic-nickers reached the ground.
Carriages drove up, and ladies and gentlemen, the fathers and mothers,
and elder brothers and sisters of the schoolboys. Some ladies and
gentlemen came on horseback and ponyback, and several even, besides the
boys, in waggons, while the provisions and servants arrived in
spring-carts and dog-carts, and altogether there was a very vast
assemblage. It was arranged that, having walked about a little, and
seen some of the views which the wood afforded, and some old ruins
within its borders, the party should dine, and then that various sports
should take place, pony races, archery, quoits, nine-pins, skittles,
throw-sticks or batons, single-stick; indeed, more than I can well
remember; while swings were hung up between the trees, and two or three
long planks had been placed on some felled trees, to serve as see-saws,
so that all ranks and ages could find amusement. Never were better
arrangements made. People may wander the world around and not find more
pleasing, heart-enlivening scenery than England affords--scenery more
rich or full of fertile spots, or which should make its inhabitants
grateful to Heaven for having placed them in such a land. There were
fields already waving with corn, and bright green meadows full of fine
cattle, some grazing, others standing under trees chewing the cud, or in
shallow bends of the river, or in reedy ponds; there were sheep
scattered thickly over sunny hills, and still further off downs; and
there were copses of hazel, and alder, and willow, and woods of beech,
and oak, and birch, and tall elms dividing fields and orchards
innumerable, among which peeped many a white-washed cottage; and here
and there were pretty hamlets, with their village green or common; there
was a bright sparkling stream, swelling as it advanced into the
dimensions of a river, and high hills, and valleys, and glens branching
off in all directions.

"A fair and truly attractive scene," said Ellis, turning to Ernest, who
cordially agreed with him as they gazed at it together.