make them look picturesque. The Agent tells me my place is famous for
its sunsets; also good moonlight effects on occasions. Pretty village,
too, in the background. Altogether, most satisfactory. After all,
Nature is much better than Art.

_Second Extract_.--Dullerton-on-the-Slush is a charming spot, but
it has its drawbacks. Pretty, but damp. Fog interferes a good deal
with the sunsets, and hides the moon at the wrong moment. Village
deliciously out of repair. But tenants unreasonable. Offered to put up
some red brick roofs for them, which would have looked charming, but
they insist upon having slates. Wish they would consent to having
a few cows in the fields, but they say they prefer pigstyes. Have
consulted a builder and a gardener, and they think that they could
"run up" a stye between them, and cover it over with shrubs. Tenants
object. They say the pigs would not like it, and might eat the shrubs
with fatal results. All this annoying, but still the view from my
dining-room window charming. It reminds me not a little of CONSTABLE,
LINNELL, not to say Old CROME.

_Third Extract_.--Further troubles. Tenants are really very
disagreeable, and they have no feeling for Art. They have cut down
a lot of ornamental trees, and they won't grow the right sort of
crops,--I mean from a picturesque point of view. As agriculturists
they may be all right, but that's not my point. I did not buy the
estate to try how "roots" would thrive. Then they will burn weeds,
and hang out clothes to dry--clothes without any regard to contrast
of colour. Eyesores meet me everywhere. I am really not sure whether I
acted wisely in trusting to a House-agent instead of a Picture-dealer.
"Pictures by Nature" are not as reliable as they should be.