ABSTRACT
A FINE and mild morning tempted Mrs. Woodfield and her family to extend their walk to the Downs,45 which were at a small distance from her house. To the meadows beneath these hills, the lambs, newly fallen, gave animation and beauty; while the wether flocks, on the higher grounds,20began to enjoy the young herbage, slowly stealing over the withered turf. Half way up was one of those huts, constructed for the purpose of sheltering the shepherd from the inclemency of the weather. Its humble occasional inhabitant was not in it, but his daughter, a girl of twelve years old, and her two little brothers, werea eating their scanty dinner, which consisted only of some crusts of bread, and two or three half boiledb potatoes. Notwithstanding the poorness of their fare, and the little covering they wore, they seemed to be healthy and happy. Mrs. Woodfield bade them bring out to the door a wooden bench that was within the hut, and which served its rustic inmates for both table and chairs; and, while she sat there, with Caroline and Elizabeth on each side of her, she pointed out to their observation several objects in the vale beneath them. Two of these, the seats of two persons of different characters, gave occasion for some remarks ‘on the use and abuse of riches.’
