fficulty.

Either I shall acquire the rudiments of this accomplishment from
standard works upon the subject, or I shall bide my time until I may
avail myself of the services of an animal of a more docile nature than
those available at the local liveryman's. His horses, it would appear,
are subject to queer vagaries of conduct when under saddle, betraying an
idiosyncrasy as to movement and a pronounced tendency to break into
rapid gait without the approval or indeed the consent of the rider.

My thoughts recur to the recreation of botanizing, which for a period
lost some of its savour for me. At least, botany is fraught with no
personal discomforts.

Called as usual this evening. Nightly our acquaintance ripens toward a
perfect mutual understanding.

This has indeed been a lovely spring!

* * * * *

MAY THE TWENTY-THIRD.--It is with a sensation of more than passing
annoyance that I record the events of this evening. At seven-fifteen,
immediately after tea, I set forth for the Hamm residence, carrying
under my arm a book of verses intended for bestowal upon the young
chatelaine of that happy home, and much buoyed and uplifted by
prospects of a period of agreeable divertisement spent in her society.
But such was not to be.

To begin with, the uncle consumed much valuable time in an interminable
dissertation upon the merits of a new fowling piece which he
contemplates purchasing. One was thoroughly wearied of the subject
before he had the good taste to depart to his own special domain in the
room adjoining the parlour. Thereafter for a few minutes all passed
well. Miss Hamm accepted the gift of the book with expressions of deep
gratitude. Her mood was one of whimsicality, into the spirit of which I
found my self entering with hearty accord. Being a most capable mimic,
she gave a spirited and life-like imitation of Miss Primleigh in the act
of reprimanding a delinquent student. One could not well restrain one's
laughter at the aptitude with which she reproduced Miss Primleigh's
severity of expression and somewhat acid quality of voice. One gathered
also, from chance remarks let fall, that Miss Primleigh had lately
treated Miss Hamm with marked aversion bordering upon actual
discourtesy. How any one, thrown in contact with her, could regard Miss
Hamm with any feelings save those of admiration and respect is quite
beyond my comprehension.

However, I contented myself by saying that Miss