Thereisalsoasolemnrespectpaidbythetravellertothepassing
funeralinthesesequesteredplaces；forsuchspectacles，occurring
amongthequietabodesofnature，sinkdeepintothesoul。Asthe
mourningtrainapproaches，hepauses，uncovered，toletitgoby；he
thenfollowssilentlyintherear；sometimesquitetothegrave，at
othertimesforafewhundredyards，and，havingpaidthistribute
ofrespecttothedeceased，turnsandresumeshisjourney。
TherichveinofmelancholywhichrunsthroughtheEnglish
character，andgivesitsomeofitsmosttouchingandennobling
graces，isfinelyevidencedinthesepatheticcustoms，andinthe
solicitudeshownbythecommonpeopleforanhonoredandapeaceful
grave。Thehumblestpeasant，whatevermaybehislowlylotwhile
living，isanxiousthatsomelittlerespectmaybepaidtohis
remains。SirThomasOverbury，describingthe"faireandhappy
milkmaid，"observes，"thuslivesshe，andallhercareis，thatshe
maydieinthespring—time，tohavestoreofflowersstuckeuponher
windingsheet。"Thepoets，too，whoalwaysbreathethefeelingofa
nation，continuallyadverttothisfondsolicitudeaboutthegrave。In
"TheMaid’sTragedy，"byBeaumontandFletcher，thereisabeautiful
instanceofthekind，describingthecapriciousmelancholyofa
broken—heartedgirl：
Whensheseesabank
Stuckfullofflowers，she，withasigh，willtell
Herservants，whataprettyplaceitwere
Toburyloversin；andmakehermaids
Pluck’em，andstrewheroverlikeacorse。
Thecustomofdecoratinggraveswasonceuniversallyprevalent：
osierswerecarefullybentoverthemtokeeptheturfuninjured，and
aboutthemwereplantedevergreensandflowers。"Weadorntheir
graves，"saysEvelyn，inhisSylva，"withflowersandredolentplants，
justemblemsofthelifeofman，whichhasbeencomparedinHoly
Scripturestothosefadingbeauties，whoserootsbeingburiedin
dishonor，riseagaininglory。"Thisusagehasnowbecomeextremely
rareinEngland；butitmaystillbemetwithinthechurch—yardsof
retiredvillages，amongtheWelshmountains；andIrecollectan
instanceofitatthesmalltownofRuthen，whichliesatthehead
ofthebeautifulvaleofClewyd。Ihavebeentoldalsobyafriend，
whowaspresentatthefuneralofayounggirlinGlamorganshire，that
thefemaleattendantshadtheirapronsfullofflowers，which，assoon
asthebodywasinterred，theystuckaboutthegrave。
Henoticedseveralgraveswhichhadbeendecoratedinthesame
manner。Astheflowershadbeenmerelystuckintheground，andnot
planted，theyhadsoonwithered，andmightbeseeninvariousstates
ofdecay；somedrooping，othersquiteperished。Theywereafterwards
tobesupplantedbyholly，rosemary，andotherevergreens；whichon
somegraveshadgrowntogreatluxuriance，andovershadowedthe
tombstones。
Therewasformerlyamelancholyfancifulnessinthearrangementof
theserusticofferings，thathadsomethinginittrulypoetical。The
rosewassometimesblendedwiththelily，toformageneralemblem
offrailmortality。"Thissweetflower，"saidEvelyn，"borneona
branchsetwiththorns，andaccompaniedwiththelily，arenatural
hieroglyphicsofourfugitive，umbratile，anxious，andtransitory
life，which，makingsofairashowforatime，isnotyetwithout
itsthornsandcrosses。"Thenatureandcoloroftheflowers，andof
theribbonswithwhichtheyweretied，hadoftenaparticular
referencetothequalitiesorstoryofthedeceased，orwere
expressiveofthefeelingsofthemourner。Inanoldpoem，entitled
"Corydon’sDolefulKnell，"aloverspecifiesthedecorationshe
intendstouse：
Agarlandshallbeframed
Byartandnature’sskill，
Ofsundry—coloredflowers，
Intokenofgood—will。
Andsundry—color’dribands
OnitIwillbestow；
Butchieflyblackeandyellowe
Withhertograveshallgo。
I’lldeckhertombwithflowers，
Theraresteverseen；
Andwithmytearsasshowers，
I’llkeepthemfreshandgreen。
Thewhiterose，wearetold，wasplantedatthegraveofavirgin；
herchapletwastiedwithwhiteribbons，intokenofherspotless
innocence；thoughsometimesblackribbonswereintermingled，to
bespeakthegriefofthesurvivors。Theredrosewasoccasionallyused
inremembranceofsuchashadbeenremarkableforbenevolence；but
rosesingeneralwereappropriatedtothegravesoflovers。Evelyn
tellsusthatthecustomwasnotaltogetherextinctinhistime，
nearhisdwellinginthecountyofSurrey，"wherethemaidensyearly
plantedanddeckedthegravesoftheirdefunctsweetheartswith
rose—bushes。"AndCamdenlikewiseremarks，inhisBritannia："Here
isalsoacertaincustom，observedtimeoutofmind，ofplanting
rose—treesuponthegraves，especiallybytheyoungmenandmaids
whohavelosttheirloves；sothatthischurch—yardisnowfullof
them。"
Whenthedeceasedhadbeenunhappyintheirloves，emblemsofamore
gloomycharacterwereused，suchastheyewandcypress；andif
flowerswerestrewn，theywereofthemostmelancholycolors。Thus，in
poemsbyThomasStanley，Esq。（publishedin1651），isthefollowing
stanza：
Yetstrew
Uponmydismallgrave
Suchofferingsasyouhave，
Forsakencypresseandsadyewe；
Forkinderflowerscantakenobirth
Orgrowthfromsuchunhappyearth。
In"TheMaid’sTragedy，"apatheticlittleairisintroduced，
illustrativeofthismodeofdecoratingthefuneralsoffemaleswho
hadbeendisappointedinlove：
Layagarlandonmyhearse，
Ofthedismallyew，
Maidens，willowbrancheswear，
SayIdiedtrue。
Mylovewasfalse，butIwasfirm，
Frommyhourofbirth，
Uponmyburiedbodylie
Lightly，gentleearth。
Thenaturaleffectofsorrowoverthedeadistorefineand
elevatethemind；andwehaveaproofofitinthepurityofsentiment
andunaffectedeleganceofthoughtwhichpervadedthewholeofthese
funeralobservances。Thus，itwasanespecialprecautionthatnonebut
sweet—scentedevergreensandflowersshouldbeemployed。Theintention
seemstohavebeentosoftenthehorrorsofthetomb，tobeguilethe
mindfrombroodingoverthedisgracesofperishingmortality，andto
associatethememoryofthedeceasedwiththemostdelicateand
beautifulobjectsinnature。Thereisadismalprocessgoingoninthe
grave，eredustcanreturntoitskindreddust，whichthe
imaginationshrinksfromcontemplating；andweseekstilltothink
oftheformwehaveloved，withthoserefinedassociationswhichit
awakenedwhenbloomingbeforeusinyouthandbeauty。"Layheri’
theearth，"saysLaertes，ofhisvirginsister，
Andfromherfairandunpollutedflesh
Mayvioletsspring！
Herrick，also，inhis"DirgeofJephtha，"poursforthafragrant
flowofpoeticalthoughtandimage，whichinamannerembalmsthedead
intherecollectionsoftheliving。
Sleepinthypeace，thybedofspice，
AndmakethisplaceallParadise：
Maysweetsgrowhere！andsmokefromhence
Fatfrankincense。
Letbalmeandcassiasendtheirscent
Fromoutthymaidenmonument。******
Mayallshiemaidsatwontedhours
Comeforthtostrewthytombewithflowers！
Mayvirgins，whentheycometomourn，
Maleincenseburn
Uponthinealtar！thenreturn
Andleavetheesleepinginthineurn。
ImightcrowdmypageswithextractsfromtheolderBritishpoets
whowrotewhentheseritesweremoreprevalent，anddelighted
frequentlytoalludetothem；butIhavealreadyquotedmorethanis
necessary。Icannothoweverrefrainfromgivingapassagefrom
Shakespeare，eventhoughitshouldappeartrite；whichillustratesthe
emblematicalmeaningoftenconveyedinthesefloraltributes；andat
thesametimepossessesthatmagicoflanguageandappositenessof
imageryforwhichhestandspre—eminent。
Withfairestflowers，
Whilstsummerlasts，andIlivehere，Fidele，
I’llsweetenthysadgrave；thoushaltnotlack
Theflowerthat’slikethyface，paleprimrose；nor
Theazuredharebell，likethyveins；no，nor
Theleafofeglantine；whomnottoslander，
Outsweeten’dnotthybreath。
Thereiscertainlysomethingmoreaffectinginthesepromptand
spontaneousofferingsofnature，thaninthemostcostlymonuments
ofart；thehandstrewstheflowerwhiletheheartiswarm，andthe
tearfallsonthegraveasaffectionisbindingtheosierroundthe
sod；butpathosexpiresundertheslowlaborofthechisel，andis
chilledamongthecoldconceitsofsculpturedmarble。
Itisgreatlytoberegretted，thatacustomsotrulyelegantand
touchinghasdisappearedfromgeneraluse，andexistsonlyinthemost
remoteandinsignificantvillages。Butitseemsasifpoetical
customalwaysshunsthewalksofcultivatedsociety。Inproportion
aspeoplegrowpolitetheyceasetobepoetical。Theytalkof
poetry，buttheyhavelearnttocheckitsfreeimpulses，todistrust
itssallyingemotions，andtosupplyitsmostaffectingand
picturesqueusages，bystudiedformandpompousceremonial。Few
pageantscanbemorestatelyandfrigidthananEnglishfuneralin
town。Itismadeupofshowandgloomyparade；mourningcarriages，
mourninghorses，mourningplumes，andhirelingmourners，whomakea
mockeryofgrief。"Thereisagravedigged，"saysJeremyTaylor，
"andasolemnmourning，andagreattalkintheneighborhood，andwhen
thedaiesarefinished，theyshallbe，andtheyshallberememberedno
more。"Theassociateinthegayandcrowdedcityissoonforgotten；
thehurryingsuccessionofnewintimatesandnewpleasureseffaceshim
fromourminds，andtheveryscenesandcirclesinwhichhemoved
areincessantlyfluctuating。Butfuneralsinthecountryare
solemnlyimpressive。Thestrokeofdeathmakesawiderspaceinthe
villagecircle，andisanawfuleventinthetranquiluniformityof
rurallife。Thepassingbelltollsitsknellineveryear；itsteals
withitspervadingmelancholyoverhillandvale，andsaddensall
thelandscape。
Thefixedandunchangingfeaturesofthecountryalsoperpetuatethe
memoryofthefriendwithwhomweonceenjoyedthem；whowasthe
companionofourmostretiredwalks，andgaveanimationtoevery
lonelyscene。Hisideaisassociatedwitheverycharmofnature；we
hearhisvoiceintheechowhichheoncedelightedtoawaken；his
spirithauntsthegrovewhichheoncefrequented；wethinkofhimin
thewilduplandsolitude，oramidstthepensivebeautyofthe
valley。Inthefreshnessofjoyousmorning，werememberhisbeaming
smilesandboundinggayety；andwhensobereveningreturnswithits
gatheringshadowsandsubduingquiet，wecalltomindmanya
twilighthourofgentletalkandsweet—souledmelancholy。
Eachlonelyplaceshallhimrestore，
Forhimthetearbedulyshed；
Beloved，tilllifecancharmnomore；
Andmourn’dtillpity’sselfbedead。
Anothercausethatperpetuatesthememoryofthedeceasedinthe
countryisthatthegraveismoreimmediatelyinsightofthe
survivors。Theypassitontheirwaytoprayer，itmeetstheireyes
whentheirheartsaresoftenedbytheexercisesofdevotion；they
lingeraboutitontheSabbath，whenthemindisdisengagedfrom
worldlycares，andmostdisposedtoturnasidefrompresent
pleasuresandpresentloves，andtositdownamongthesolemnmementos
ofthepast。InNorthWalesthepeasantrykneelandprayoverthe
gravesoftheirdeceasedfriends，forseveralSundaysafterthe
interment；andwherethetenderriteofstrewingandplanting
flowersisstillpractised，itisalwaysrenewedonEaster，
Whitsuntide，andotherfestivals，whentheseasonbringsthecompanion
offormerfestivitymorevividlytomind。Itisalsoinvariably
performedbythenearestrelativesandfriends；nomenialsnor
hirelingsareemployed；andifaneighboryieldsassistance，it
wouldbedeemedaninsulttooffercompensation。
Ihavedweltuponthisbeautifulruralcustom，because，asitisone
ofthelast，soisitoneoftheholiestofficesoflove。Thegraveis
theordealoftrueaffection。Itistherethatthedivinepassionof
thesoulmanifestsitssuperioritytotheinstinctiveimpulseof
mereanimalattachment。Thelattermustbecontinuallyrefreshedand
keptalivebythepresenceofitsobject；butthelovethatis
seatedinthesoulcanliveonlongremembrance。Themereinclinations
ofsenselanguishanddeclinewiththecharmswhichexcitedthem，
andturnwithshudderingdisgustfromthedismalprecinctsofthe
tomb；butitisthencethattrulyspiritualaffectionrises，
purifiedfromeverysensualdesire，andreturns，likeaholyflame，to
illumineandsanctifytheheartofthesurvivor。
Thesorrowforthedeadistheonlysorrowfromwhichwerefuseto
bedivorced。Everyotherwoundweseektoheal—everyotheraffliction
toforget；butthiswoundweconsideritadutytokeepopen—this
afflictionwecherishandbroodoverinsolitude。Whereisthe
motherwhowouldwillinglyforgettheinfantthatperishedlikea
blossomfromherarms，thougheveryrecollectionisapang？Whereis
thechildthatwouldwillinglyforgetthemosttenderofparents，
thoughtorememberbebuttolament？Who，eveninthehourofagony，
wouldforgetthefriendoverwhomhemourns？Who，evenwhenthetomb
isclosingupontheremainsofherhemostloved；whenhefeelshis
heart，asitwere，crushedintheclosingofitsportal；would
acceptofconsolationthatmustbeboughtbyforgetfulness？—No，the
lovewhichsurvivesthetombisoneofthenoblestattributesofthe
soul。Ifithasitswoes，ithaslikewiseitsdelights；andwhenthe
overwhelmingburstofgriefiscalmedintothegentletearof
recollection；whenthesuddenanguishandtheconvulsiveagonyover
thepresentruinsofallthatwemostloved，issoftenedawayinto
pensivemeditationonallthatitwasinthedaysofitsloveliness—
whowouldrootoutsuchasorrowfromtheheart？Thoughitmay
sometimesthrowapassingcloudoverthebrighthourofgayety，or
spreadadeepersadnessoverthehourofgloom，yetwhowouldexchange
itevenforthesongofpleasure，ortheburstofrevelry？No，there
isavoicefromthetombsweeterthansong。Thereisaremembrance
ofthedeadtowhichweturnevenfromthecharmsoftheliving。Oh，
thegrave！—thegrave！—Itburieseveryerror—coverseverydefect—
extinguisheseveryresentment！Fromitspeacefulbosomspringnonebut
fondregretsandtenderrecollections。Whocanlookdownuponthe
graveevenofanenemy，andnotfeelacompunctiousthrob，thathe
shouldeverhavewarredwiththepoorhandfulofearththatlies
moulderingbeforehim。
Butthegraveofthoseweloved—whataplaceformeditation！
Thereitisthatwecallupinlongreviewthewholehistoryofvirtue
andgentleness，andthethousandendearmentslavisheduponusalmost
unheededinthedailyintercourseofintimacy—thereitisthatwe
dwelluponthetenderness，thesolemn，awfultendernessoftheparting
scene。Thebedofdeath，withallitsstifledgriefs—itsnoiseless
attendance—itsmute，watchfulassiduities。Thelasttestimoniesof
expiringlove！Thefeeble，fluttering，thrilling—oh！how
thrilling！—pressureofthehand！Thefaint，falteringaccents，
strugglingindeathtogiveonemoreassuranceofaffection！The
lastfondlookoftheglazingeye，turneduponusevenfromthe
thresholdofexistence！
Ay，gotothegraveofburiedlove，andmeditate！Theresettlethe
accountwiththyconscienceforeverypastbenefitunrequitedevery
pastendearmentunregarded，ofthatdepartedbeing，whocannever—
never—neverreturntobesoothedbythycontrition！
Ifthouartachild，andhasteveraddedasorrowtothesoul，or
afurrowtothesilveredbrowofanaffectionateparent—ifthouarta
husband，andhastevercausedthefondbosomthatventureditswhole
happinessinthyarmstodoubtonemomentofthykindnessorthy
truth—ifthouartafriend，andhasteverwronged，inthought，or
word，ordeed，thespiritthatgenerouslyconfidedinthee—ifthou
artalover，andhastevergivenoneunmeritedpangtothattrueheart
whichnowliescoldandstillbeneaththyfeet；—thenbesurethat
everyunkindlook，everyungraciousword，everyungentleaction，
willcomethrongingbackuponthymemory，andknockingdolefullyat
thysoul—thenbesurethatthouwiltliedownsorrowingandrepentant
onthegrave，anduttertheunheardgroan，andpourtheunavailing
tear；moredeep，morebitter，becauseunheardandunavailing。
Thenweavethychapletofflowers，andstrewthebeautiesof
natureaboutthegrave；consolethybrokenspirit，ifthoucanst，with
thesetender，yetfutiletributesofregret；buttakewarningbythe
bitternessofthisthycontriteafflictionoverthedead，and
henceforthbemorefaithfulandaffectionateinthedischargeofthy
dutiestotheliving。
Inwritingtheprecedingarticle，itwasnotintendedtogiveafull
detailofthefuneralcustomsoftheEnglishpeasantry，butmerely
tofurnishafewhintsandquotationsillustrativeofparticular
rites，tobeappended，bywayofnote，toanotherpaper，whichhas
beenwithheld。Thearticleswelledinsensiblyintoitspresentform，
andthisismentionedasanapologyforsobriefandcasualanotice
oftheseusages，aftertheyhavebeenamplyandlearnedlyinvestigated
inotherworks。
Imustobserve，also，thatIamwellawarethatthiscustomof
adorninggraveswithflowersprevailsinothercountriesbesides
England。Indeed，insomeitismuchmoregeneral，andisobservedeven
bytherichandfashionable；butitisthenapttoloseits
simplicity，andtodegenerateintoaffectation。Bright，inhistravels
inLowerHungary，tellsofmonumentsofmarble，andrecessesformed
forretirement，withseatsplacedamongbowersofgreenhouseplants；
andthatthegravesgenerallyarecoveredwiththegayestflowersof
theseason。Hegivesacasualpictureoffilialpiety，whichI
cannotbuttranscribe；forItrustitisasusefulasitis
delightful，toillustratetheamiablevirtuesofthesex。"WhenI
wasatBerlin，"sayshe，"IfollowedthecelebratedIfflandtothe
grave。Mingledwithsomepomp，youmighttracemuchrealfeeling。In
themidstoftheceremony，myattentionwasattractedbyayoung
woman，whostoodonamoundofearth，newlycoveredwithturf，which
sheanxiouslyprotectedfromthefeetofthepassingcrowd。Itwasthe
tombofherparent；andthefigureofthisaffectionatedaughter
presentedamonumentmorestrikingthanthemostcostlyworkofart。"
IwillbarelyaddaninstanceofsepulchraldecorationthatIonce
metwithamongthemountainsofSwitzerland。Itwasatthevillage
ofGersau，whichstandsonthebordersoftheLakeofLucerne，at
thefootofMountRigi。Itwasoncethecapitalofaminiature
republic，shutupbetweentheAlpsandtheLake，andaccessibleonthe
landsideonlybyfoot—paths。Thewholeforceoftherepublicdid
notexceedsixhundredfightingmen；andafewmilesofcircumference，
scoopedoutasitwerefromthebosomofthemountains，comprised
itsterritory。ThevillageofGersauseemedseparatedfromtherestof
theworld，andretainedthegoldensimplicityofapurerage。Ithada
smallchurch，withaburying—groundadjoining。Attheheadsofthe
graveswereplacedcrossesofwoodoriron。Onsomewereaffixed
miniatures，rudelyexecuted，butevidentlyattemptsatlikenessesof
thedeceased。Onthecrosseswerehungchapletsofflowers，some
withering，othersfresh，asifoccasionallyrenewed。Ipausedwith
interestatthisscene；IfeltthatIwasatthesourceofpoetical
description，forthesewerethebeautifulbutunaffectedofferings
oftheheartwhichpoetsarefaintorecord。Inagayerandmore
populousplace，Ishouldhavesuspectedthemtohavebeensuggestedby
factitioussentiment，derivedfrombooks；butthegoodpeopleof
Gersauknewlittleofbooks；therewasnotanovelnoralovepoem
inthevillage；andIquestionwhetheranypeasantoftheplace
dreamt，whilehewastwiningafreshchapletforthegraveofhis
mistress，thathewasfulfillingoneofthemostfancifulritesof
poeticaldevotion，andthathewaspracticallyapoet。
THEEND。
1819—20
THESKETCHBOOK
RURALLIFEINENGLAND
byWashingtonIrving
Oh！friendlytothebestpursuitsofman，
Friendlytothought，tovirtue，andtopeace，
Domesticlifeinruralpleasurespast！
COWPER。
THEstrangerwhowouldformacorrectopinionoftheEnglish
charactermustnotconfinehisobservationstothemetropolis。Hemust
goforthintothecountry；hemustsojourninvillagesandhamlets；he
mustvisitcastles，villas，farm—houses，cottages；hemustwander
throughparksandgardens；alonghedgesandgreenlanes；hemust
loiteraboutcountrychurches；attendwakesandfairs，andotherrural
festivals；andcopewiththepeopleinalltheirconditionsandall
theirhabitsandhumors。
Insomecountriesthelargecitiesabsorbthewealthandfashion
ofthenation；theyaretheonlyfixedabodesofelegantand
intelligentsociety，andthecountryisinhabitedalmostentirelyby
boorishpeasantry。InEngland，onthecontrary，themetropolisisa
meregathering—place，orgeneralrendezvous，ofthepoliteclasses，
wheretheydevoteasmallportionoftheyeartoahurryofgayetyand
dissipation，and，havingindulgedthiskindofcarnival，return
againtotheapparentlymorecongenialhabitsofrurallife。The
variousordersofsocietyarethereforediffusedoverthewhole
surfaceofthekingdom，andthemostretiredneighborhoodsafford
specimensofthedifferentranks。
TheEnglish，infact，arestronglygiftedwiththeruralfeeling。
Theypossessaquicksensibilitytothebeautiesofnature，andakeen
relishforthepleasuresandemploymentsofthecountry。This
passionseemsinherentinthem。Eventheinhabitantsofcities，born
andbroughtupamongbrickwallsandbustlingstreets，enterwith
facilityintoruralhabits，evinceatactforruraloccupation。The
merchanthashissnugretreatinthevicinityofthemetropolis，where
heoftendisplaysasmuchprideandzealinthecultivationofhis
flower—garden，andthematuringofhisfruits，ashedoesinthe
conductofhisbusiness，andthesuccessofacommercialenterprise。
Eventhoselessfortunateindividuals，whoaredoomedtopasstheir
livesinthemidstofdinandtraffic，contrivetohavesomethingthat
shallremindthemofthegreenaspectofnature。Inthemostdark
anddingyquartersofthecity，thedrawing—roomwindowresembles
frequentlyabankofflowers；everyspotcapableofvegetationhasits
grassplotandflower—bed；andeverysquareitsmimicpark，laidout
withpicturesquetaste，andgleamingwithrefreshingverdure。
ThosewhoseetheEnglishmanonlyintownareapttoforman
unfavorableopinionofhissocialcharacter。Heiseitherabsorbed
inbusiness，ordistractedbythethousandengagementsthat
dissipatetime，thought，andfeeling，inthishugemetropolis。Hehas，
therefore，toocommonlyalookofhurryandabstraction。Whereverhe
happenstobe，heisonthepointofgoingsomewhereelse；atthe
momentheistalkingononesubject，hismindiswanderingtoanother；
andwhilepayingafriendlyvisit，heiscalculatinghowheshall
economizetimesoastopaytheothervisitsallottedinthe
morning。Animmensemetropolis，likeLondon，iscalculatedtomakemen
selfishanduninteresting。Intheircasualandtransientmeetings，
theycanbutdealbrieflyincommonplaces。Theypresentbutthecold
superficiesofcharacter—itsrichandgenialqualitieshavenotime
tobewarmedintoaflow。
ItisinthecountrythattheEnglishmangivesscopetohis
naturalfeelings。Hebreaksloosegladlyfromthecoldformalitiesand
negativecivilitiesoftown；throwsoffhishabitsofshyreserve，and
becomesjoyousandfree—hearted。Hemanagestocollectroundhimall
theconveniencesandeleganciesofpolitelife，andtobanishits
restraints。Hiscountry—seataboundswitheveryrequisite，either
forstudiousretirement，tastefulgratification，orruralexercise。
Books，paintings，music，horses，dogs，andsportingimplementsof
allkinds，areathand。Heputsnoconstrainteitheruponhisguests
orhimself，butinthetruespiritofhospitalityprovidesthemeans
ofenjoyment，andleaveseveryonetopartakeaccordingtohis
inclination。