black arches shall come tripping children, like white fairies, to
laugh and talk with the girl who lies dreaming and reading in the
hammock there, beneath the black velvet canopy of the great cedar-
tree, like some fair Tropic flower hanging from its boughs. Then
they shall wander down across the smooth-shorn lawn, where the purple
rhododendrons hang double, bush and image, over the water's edge, and
call to us across the stream, 'What sport?' and the old Squire shall
beckon the keeper over the long stone bridge, and return with him
bringing luncheon and good ale; and we will sit down, and eat and
drink among the burdock leaves, and then watch the quiet house, and
lawn, and flowers, and fair human creatures, and shining water, all
sleeping breathless in the glorious light beneath the glorious blue,
till we doze off, lulled by the murmur of a thousand insects, and the
rich minstrelsy of nightingale and black-cap, thrush and dove.

Peaceful, graceful, complete English country life and country houses;
everywhere finish and polish; Nature perfected by the wealth and art
of peaceful centuries! Why should I exchange you, even for the sight
of all the Alps, for bad roads, bad carriages, bad inns, bad food,
bad washing, bad beds, and fleas, fleas, fleas?

Let that last thought be enough. There may be follies, there may be
sorrows, there may be sins--though I know there are no very heavy
ones--in that fine old house opposite: but thanks to the genius of
my native land, there are at least no fleas.

Think of that, wandering friend; and of this also, that you will find
your warm bath ready when you go to bed to-night, and your cold one
when you rise to-morrow morning; and in content and thankfulness,
stay in England, and be clean.