cultivation, but they saw few peasants, and but one village seated on
a hill, until passing a wretched hamlet, they reach the bank of a
brook. The shade of some trees, already in full leaf, in this
sheltered spot, tempted them to make here their noonday halt.

Seating herself on the fern and moss at the foot of an old
mulberry-tree that overhung the little stream, Lady Mabel pointed out
to her companions, that the trees around them were all of the same
kind.

"They were doubtless planted here," said L'Isle, "when the silk
culture throve in this country, a branch of industry, which, with too
many others, has almost died out. Civil disorder and foreign war have
been fatal to it. The Spaniards have made Alemtejo their highroad in
every invasion of Portugal; and the disasters of late years have
completed the ruins of this frontier, so long a debatable land. The
country around, is, for the most part, a heath-covered waste, or a
wilderness of brushwood; here the silkworm has perished, the peasant's
hand is idle, and the amoreira stands with unplucked leaves."

"The better for us," said Mrs. Shortridge; "we need its thickest
shade."

A solitary stork, by the rivulet, was engaged in that gentle sport
which Isaac Walton assures us, is so favorable to tranquil
meditation. Deep in reverie, the philosopher seemed not to heed their
presence. For a time, he stood gravely on one leg, then with a few
stately strides, drew nearer to them. They were commenting on his
sedate air, and disregard for man's presence, when Moodie came and sat
down within ear-shot of them. The bird now raised his head and gave