rs, thieves, murderers, cursers, and revilers,
false swearers, whoremongers, and "all liars"--I wonder whether these
trifling vices are confined to the Upper Ten Thousand!

But oh, that description to the _son_ of what it sounded like when
_his father_ played the _Flowers of the Forest_ on his fiddle, isn't
to be beaten in any language I believe! All the Scotch lasses after
Flodden doing the work of an agricultural people in the stead of the
men who lay on Flodden Field!--"Lasses to reap and lasses to
bind--Lasses to stook." etc., etc., and "no a word I'll warrant ye, to
the orra lad that didna gang wi' the lave"!!!![40] and the lad's
outburst in reply, "I'd raither be gratten for nor kissed!"

[Footnote 40: _Robert Falconer_, chap. xix.]

Poor Z----! They don't teach that at Academies and Staff Colleges, nor
in the Penny-a-line of newspaper correspondents and the like--but he
should get some woman to soak it into his brains that the men women
will love are men who would rather be "gratten for" in honour than be
kissed in shame.

* * * * *

_Ecclesfield._ August 23, 1879.

* * * * *

Talking of drawings, what do you think? Caldecott has done me the most
_lovely_ coloured thing to write a short tale to for October _A.J.M._
It is very good of him. He has simply drawn what I asked, but it is
quite lovely!

A village Green, sweet little old Church, and house and oak tree,
etc., etc. in distance, a small boy with aureole of fair hair on a
red-haired pony, coming full tilt across it blowing a penny trumpet
and scattering pretty ladies, geese, cocks and hens from his path. His
dog running beside him! You will be delighted!

* * * * *

September 1, 1879.

I have done my little story to Caldecott's picture, and I have a
strong notion that it will please you. It is called "Jackanapes."... I
shall be so _disappointed_ if you don't like "Jackanapes." But I think
it is just what you will like!! I think you will cry over him!

September 19, 1879.

Isn't it a great comfort that I have finished the serial story, and
"Jackanapes"?--so that I am now quite free, and never mean to write
against time again. I know you never cared for the serial; however, it
is done, and tolerably satisfactory I think. "Jackanapes" I do hope
you will like, picture and all. C---- sent Mr. Ruskin "Our Field," and
I am proud to hear he says