submit to the restraint, nor encounter the fatigue of regular
employment: so he retreated to the workhouse, the pensioner and
factotum of the village, amongst whom he divides his services. His
mind often wanders, intent on some fantastic and impracticable plan,
and lost to present objects; but he is perfectly harmless, and full
of a childlike simplicity, a smiling contentedness, a most touching
gratitude. Every one is kind to John Evans, for there is that about
him which must be loved; and his unprotectedness, his utter
defencelessness, have an irresistible claim on every better feeling.
I know nobody who inspires so deep and tender a pity; he improves
all around him. He is useful, too, to the extent of his little
power; will do anything, but loves gardening best, and still piques
himself on his old arts of pruning fruit-trees, and raising
cucumbers. He is the happiest of men just now, for he has the
management of a melon bed--a melon bed!--fie! What a grand pompous
name was that for three melon plants under a hand-light! John Evans
is sure that they will succeed. We shall see: as the chancellor
said, 'I doubt.'

We are now on the very brow of the eminence, close to the Hill-house
and its beautiful garden. On the outer edge of the paling, hanging
over the bank that skirts the road, is an old thorn--such a thorn!
The long sprays covered with snowy blossoms, so graceful, so
elegant, so lightsome, and yet so rich! There only wants a pool
under the thorn to give a still lovelier reflection, quivering and
trembling, like a tuft of feathers, whiter and greener than the
life, and more prettily mixed with the bright blue sky. There
should indeed be a pool; but on the dark grass-plat, under the high
bank, which is crowned by that magnificent plume, there is something
that does almost as well,--Lizzy and Mayflower in the midst of a