which at first presented such an obstacle to the symmetry of the
adornments, became their chief glory; it was boarded over, its sides
completely hidden by flags and ferns, and the dessert placed on it
peeped out from a bower of greenery. I don't know how we got our
own breakfast; from eleven o'clock there was the constant
announcement "A horseman coming up the flat;" and by twelve, when I
as beadle announced that all was ready, a large congregation of
thirty-six came trooping into my little drawing-room. As soon as it
was filled the others clustered round the door; but all could hear,
I think. F--- began the service; and as the notes of the Christmas
Anthem swelled up, I found the tears trembling in my eyes. My
overwhelming thought was that it actually was the very first time
those words had ever been sung or said in that valley--you in
England can hardly realize the immensity of such a thought--"the
first time since the world was made." I think the next sensation
was one of extreme happiness; it seemed such a privilege to be
allowed to hold the initial Christmas service. I had to grasp this
idea very tight to keep down the terrible home-sickness which I felt
all day for almost the first time. There are moments when no
advantages or privileges can repress what Aytoun calls "the deep,
unutterable woe which none save exiles feel."

The service only lasted half an hour, beginning and ending with a
hymn; there were three women present besides me--my two servants,
and the nice young wife of a neighbouring shepherd. It was a sultry
day, not a breath of air; but still it is never oppressive at this
elevation. We wound up a big musical-box, set it going in the
banqueting-hall (late washhouse), and marshalled the guests in they
were extremely shy as a rule, and so we soon went away and left them
to themselves. They ate incessantly for two hours--and I hope they