uince-trees. On the whole, these fruit-trees, and the other items and
adjuncts of the place, convey a very agreeable idea of the outward
comfort in which the good old Doctor must have spent his life.
Everything seems to have fallen to his lot that could possibly be
supposed to render the life of a country clergyman easy and prosperous.
There is a barn, which probably used to be filled, annually, with his
hay and other agricultural products. There are sheds, and a hen-house,
and a pigeon-house, and an old stone pig-sty, the open portion of which
is overgrown with tall weeds, indicating that no grunter has recently
occupied it.... I have serious thoughts of inducting a new incumbent in
this part of the parsonage. It is our duty to support a pig, even if we
have no design of feasting upon him; and, for my own part, I have a
great sympathy and interest for the whole race of porkers, and should
have much amusement in studying the character of a pig. Perhaps I might
try to bring out his moral and intellectual nature, and cultivate his
affections. A cat, too, and perhaps a dog, would be desirable additions
to our household.

* * * * *

_August 10._--The natural taste of man for the original Adam's
occupation is fast developing itself in me. I find that I am a good deal
interested in our garden, although, as it was planted before we came
here, I do not feel the same affection for the plants that I should if
the seed had been sown by my own hands. It is something like nursing and
educating another person's children. Still, it was a very pleasant
moment when I gathered the first string-beans, which were the earliest
esculent that the garden contributed to our table. And I love to watch
the successive development of each new vegetable, and mark its daily
growth, which always affects me with surprise. It is as if something
were being created under my own inspection, and partly by my own aid.
One day, perchance, I look at my bean-vines, and see only the green
leaves clambering up the poles; again, to-morrow, I give a second
glance, and there are the delicate blossoms; and a third day, on a
somewhat closer observation, I discover the tender young beans, hiding
among the foliage. Then, each morning, I watch the swelling of the pods,
and calculate how soon they will be ready to yield their treasures. All
this gives a pleasure and an ideality, hitherto unthought of, to the
business of providing sustenance