li 
 
 r 
 
 Witmmgnmmanm**m e^-; 
 
THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND 
 
 MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID 
 
7S 
 
 THE ABBOTTS FARM 
 
 OR 
 
 PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE 
 
THE ABBOTTS FARM 
 
 OR 
 
 PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE 
 
 BY 
 
 HENRY TANNER, M.R.A.C., F.C.S. 
 
 PROFESSOR OF THE PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURE IN THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL 
 
 COLLEGE ; EXAMINER IN THE PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURE UNDER 
 
 THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE ; 
 
 AUTHOR OF ' FIRST PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURE,' ETC. 
 
 ilontion 
 MACMILLAN AND CO. 
 
 1880 
 
 •^jk ij/* 
 
Printed by R. & R. Clark, Edinburgh. 
 

 PEEFACE. 
 
 The rapid progress which has been made in the 
 establishment of classes for instruction in " The 
 Principles of Agriculture," has on many occasions 
 caused the inquiry to be made, Does instruction 
 in science make a man a more successful farmer, 
 and a better neighbour ? In the following pages 
 an attempt has been made to answer that inquiry. 
 
 The sketches which are herein embodied, origin- 
 ally appeared in the Preston Guardian, but during 
 the unavoidable delay arising in the publication of 
 the complete series, some of the details have ripened 
 so rapidly, that suggestions have, in many cases, 
 already become realities. 
 
 The Limes, Cirencester, 
 October 1880. 
 
 ^358767 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2008 with funding from 
 
 IVIicrosoft Corporation 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/abbottsfarmOOhenrrich 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAP. PAGE 
 
 I. Entrance on the Farm — Increased Land for Cul- 
 tivation, without additional Rent or Taxes . 1 
 
 II. The social influence of Education . . 8 
 
 III. The Inquiry Room — Profitable Employment for 
 
 Winter Evenings — Proper Drainage . .15 
 
 . IV. Making Manure and wasting it — Care of Stock 
 
 — ^A critical Neighbour satisfied . .22 
 
 V. An expensive Education not necessarily a good 
 Education — The Agricultural Science Class 
 Scholarship . . . . 29 
 
 VI. Good Seed a true Economy — Spreading Nets 
 to catch Ammonia — Making good Manure and 
 . using it . . . . .36 
 
 VII. Visits of Farm Pupils seeking Knowledge — 
 
 Growing good Seed — Potato growing . 43 
 
 VIII. Purchasing Manures — Agents' Profits — Securing 
 
 what is required, and knowing what is used . 50 
 
vm CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAP. PAGE 
 
 IX. A Good Seed Bed — Young Clovers — The Im- 
 provement of Farmyard Manure . .57 
 
 X. Good Keasons for Steam Ploughing — The 
 Squire on the Advantages of the Govern- 
 ment Scholarship . . .64 
 
 XI. A Good Wife takes her share of Duty — Over- 
 growth of the Mangel Crop — Preservation 
 of feeding Properties — Errors in Practice . 7 1 
 
 XII. The Labourers' Wives have a Conference — 
 The Milk Supply discussed — Good Food 
 for the Workmen — Mistaken Ideas respect- 
 ing Cattle Food — Unconscious growth of 
 Wood on Tillage Land . . .78 
 
 XIII. Pauperised Spirit amongst Farm Labourers — 
 Discontent often mistaken for Independence 
 of Feeling — Injudicious Treatment of the 
 Labourer — Helping the Poor to help them- 
 selves . . . . .85 
 
 XIV. Cows for Farm Labourers — Instruction of the 
 Labourers* Wives in Dairy Work — La- 
 bourers' Cottages — ^Mutual Advantages at 
 mutual Cost . . . .93 
 
 XV. Visit from an old Friend — Bad Training of 
 Farm Lads — Old Apprenticeship system^- 
 A Farm Apprentice Taken — Co-operation 
 of Rodney College with the Farmers in the 
 District . . . . .100 
 
t 
 
 CONTENTS. ix 
 
 CHAP. PAGE 
 
 XVI. Education of Farmers' Daughters — Old-fa- 
 shioned Ideas contrasted with modern in- 
 competency — Loss of Swedes by the Frost 
 — High Quality Farm Produce . .108 
 
 XVII. The Farm Apprentice and the Savings Bank 
 — The able-bodied Labourer's final House 
 of Rest — Promise of better Things — A 
 Farmer's Daughter in the School of Ad- 
 versity . . . . .116 
 
 XVIII. Industrial College for Farmers' Daughters — 
 The Labourers enter on New Cottages, and 
 each has a Garden, Cow, and Pig — Changes 
 resulting — The Incompetent young Ladies 
 see Danger, and accept Advice . .124 
 
 XIX. Inspection of the Farm by the previous Ten- 
 ant — Changes observed — Rodney Club at 
 their Work — The lucky Hop Branch . 132 
 
 XX. Arrangements for Industrial College completed 
 — " Nil Desperandum " Scholarship — 
 Education of Farmers' Sons necessitating 
 equal Care for Farmers' Daughters — 
 Happy Results . . . .140 
 
 XXI. The formal opening of "Wyudham College — 
 Industries depending largely on woman's 
 skill — System of instruction adopted . 148 
 
 XXII. A Local Chamber of Agriculture established 
 — An Education Committee appointed and 
 
X CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAP. ' PAGE 
 
 the work they undertook — District Gram- 
 mar Schools in relation to Farmers — Modi- 
 fied system of Tuition — The Home of the 
 contented labourer , . .157 
 
 XXI II. Science Masters in demand — An intelligent 
 
 Scotch Workman comes on the scene — 
 Giving an eye to the future — The Ladies 
 excel in their own departments of duty — 
 Interesting facts . . . .164 
 
 XXIV. Development of physical as well as mental 
 
 powers — Poultry, Bee, and Dairy manage- 
 ment — The first year's work in a Ladies' 
 College — New extension of work — Kind 
 assistance and its results — The Village 
 Hospital . . . . .173 
 
 XXV. A consulting Gardener called in and unex- 
 pected results arise — A grateful Assistant — 
 An educational Conference — The County 
 Agricultural Society resolves upon looking 
 after the best interests of its members . 181 
 
 XXVI. Finance considerations — Life Insurance for 
 the Farm Labourer — A Workman secures 
 a Government Pension — The experience 
 of two worthy Veterans in Agriculture — A 
 Secret revealed — Woman's influence not 
 fully appreciated , . .189 
 
CONTENTS. xi 
 
 CHAP. PAGE 
 
 XXVIL The Homes on the Crescent — A second year 
 in a Ladies' College and the consequences 
 — The atmospheric Tell-tale— A Wife's 
 best Fortune . . . .198 
 
 XXYIIL Scholarships for young Ladies — The New- 
 President of the Eodney Club — His cour- 
 teous conduct, and the reward he received 
 — A happy Trio — The departure of an 
 old friend — Home Influence . .207 
 
 XXIX The Bread and Butter Debate is renewed 
 — Jack chosen Examiner for Eodney 
 College — Good work done in American 
 Colleges — Trees catching the Fever — The 
 Willow Tree and the Gold Dust . .215 
 
 XXX Our Hero somewhat desponding — His Wife 
 the best philosopher — Happy success of a 
 Farmer's Daughter — The three-fold bond, 
 and its influence upon Jack and his Wife 
 — The Recompense . . .224 
 
THE ABBOTTS FARM; 
 
 OR, 
 
 PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 
 
 CHAPTEE I 
 
 For a period of forty years there had been no change in 
 the tenant of the Abbotts Farm, but advancing years 
 induced Mr. Foster to retire from an occupation which 
 had for some time ceased to be a source of profit. 
 Happily for him, he had secured in easier and more 
 prosperous times a competency which was sufficient to 
 surround him with every necessary comfort during his 
 few remaining years. His decision to give up the farm 
 was by no means a surprise to Mr. Thompson — the 
 steward of the estate — and it now became his duty to 
 recommend to Mr. Woodford a suitable tenant for the 
 farm. The choice fell upon Mr. John Holmes, a son of 
 one of the tenants on the same estate, in fact occupying 
 the Holt Farm, which bounded the Abbotts on one side. 
 The selected tenant was well known in the neighbourhood, 
 having distinguished himself by holding the Wrexborough 
 Scholarship, and by making a good use of the favourable 
 
 L 
 
2 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 means which were thus offered to him for acquiring a 
 very complete knowledge of the science and practice of 
 agriculture. 
 
 The negotiations for the occupation were soon com- 
 pleted, and it may be briefly stated that amongst other 
 things it was agreed that the rent should remain at the 
 amount paid by Mr. Foster, the buildings were to be put 
 in good repair by the landlord, permanent improvements 
 agreed to by both parties to be carried out at the cost of 
 the landlord, the tenant to pay five per cent on the out- 
 lay, and a two years' notice was to terminate the agree- 
 ment, with full compensation for the tenant's unexhausted 
 improvements. The usual restrictions as to cropping 
 were only to apply when the crops became inferior to 
 those grown at the time the agreement was entered into. 
 These crops were carefully examined for this purpose, 
 and their average condition duly recorded. So long as 
 the course of cultivation maintained the land in at least 
 an equally productive condition, so long the tenant was 
 free to farm as he thought proper, but as soon as the 
 land became less productive, then the protective clauses 
 of the lease regulated his course of cropping, and the 
 sale of some of the farm produce. John Holmes felt sat- 
 isfied that the arrangement gave him sufficient freedom 
 of action, and the steward considered that he had duly 
 protected Mr. Woodford's interests as the proprietor of 
 the soil. 
 
 The agreement for the farm being completed, there 
 was but little delay in arranging with Mr. Foster for his 
 crops and tillages being purchased by the incoming 
 tenant, and an early transfer of the farm was accordingly 
 sejcured. One great advantage which was thus obtained 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 3^ 
 
 by the new tenant was the earlier commencement of his 
 tillage operations on the land where the wheat crop had 
 been growing. No one knew better than John Holmes 
 — young as he was — how much the autumn management 
 of the farm influenced the success of the following year. 
 He had the necessary capital for the farm lying in the 
 bank, and he secured a fair commencement of his work 
 by judiciously using some of his money in purchasing 
 the crops on fair and equitable terms. 
 
 There had been but little delay in making the neces- 
 sary arrangements which enabled John Holmes to com- 
 mence the harvest on his farm. With the aid of his 
 father's counsel, and with many a friendly helper who 
 had known "Master Jack" from his infancy, the work 
 progressed satisfactorily, and he entered upon the occu- 
 pation of the farm with many a hearty expression of 
 goodwill for his success. 
 
 "Well, Jack," inquired his father on one of their 
 evening meetings, "and have you made up your mind 
 as to the course of cropping you mean to follow outf 
 
 "Only to a certain extent," replied Jack. "I have, 
 as you know, about two hundred and fifty acres of 
 ploughed land, and I have grouped these together in five 
 lots of about fifty acres each, for I think that in any case I 
 shall be best able to work the land on a five years' course 
 of cropping. I have taken a copy of the map of the farm, 
 and you will see that it divides up very well into these 
 five groups." 
 
 "Ah!" said Mr. Holmes, "I see you mean to keep 
 your groups compactly together, and save that loss of 
 time and labour which arises when similar work is going 
 on all about the farm. I wish I had done this at the 
 
4 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 Holt, for I am sure it would have saved me a vast 
 amount of time, and I should have had the work more 
 under control." 
 
 "As you like my scheme," said Jack, "I shall deco- 
 rate the wall of my room with this plan, and as oppor- 
 tunity offers, I shall carry it into effect. Here and there 
 an alteration of the fences will enable the steam-plough- 
 ing to be more easily done." 
 
 " But are you thinking of going in for steam-plough- 
 ing?" interposed Mr. Holmes. "Surely this is scarcely 
 desirable for your farm." 
 
 "It probably takes you by surprise," continued Jack, 
 " but I have long thought about it, and I expect that on 
 further consideration you will come to the same conclusion 
 as I have done. My idea is to have fifty acres steam- 
 ploughed for me every autumn, and I propose to break 
 up the subsoil at the same time, so as to get a thoroughly 
 deep soil. There is a sufficient depth of soil on the farm 
 to allow of its being done, and as we get the drainage of 
 the land completed I think we shall be able to let the 
 steam-plough follow on, and secure the best results from 
 the drains. I have but a small farm, you know, and I 
 do not wish any additional number of acres, but I must 
 confess I do wish to increase the land which is under 
 tillage. Our old friend Mr. Foster was content to have 
 five or six inches of soil for his crops to grow in, but I 
 hope to work fully three times as much land as he did. 
 I shall increase my tillage land by securing an additional 
 depth of feeding ground for my crops, and you may de- 
 pend upon it I can thus as completely secure an increased 
 supply of plant food as if I had cultivated twice as many 
 acres on his system. I have, however, this great advan- 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 5 
 
 tage on my side, my increase of soil does not involve any 
 increase of rent, rates, or taxes, whereas if I worked 'the 
 land as this farm has been managed hitherto, I could only 
 increase the quantity of soil by taking an additional 
 number of acres with a proportionate increase in my 
 annual expenditure. My idea is to go in for a deep and 
 thorough cultivation of the land I have taken, and I 
 believe the foundation on which this must rest is steam- 
 ploughing. We won't settle about it now, but after you 
 have thought it over I believe you will agree with. me." 
 
 It was with his father's full approval that the steam- 
 plough was shortly engaged for the work, and fifty acres 
 were duly prepared by it for exposure to the winter's 
 frost, and for being enriched by the fertilising agencies 
 of the atmosphere. The soil of the farm had been much 
 exhausted to the depth of the general tillage work of the 
 late tenant ; but the deeper furrow brought up new soil, 
 which had long been resting in peace untouched by any 
 farm operations. The exchange of surface soil thus 
 accomplished showed a difference in quality which was 
 manifest even to the labourers on the farm. Not one of 
 them could have described what was the difference, but 
 they knew that the one was far more capable than the 
 other for producing good crops. Jack formed the same 
 opinion, but he wanted to know something more than this 
 about it ; and hence he determined to examine the soil 
 thoroughly during some of the long evenings of the coming 
 winter. He had no doubt on his mind as to the truth of 
 the opinions which were so popularly accepted, but having 
 regard to his future treatment of that soil he desired a 
 further acquaintance with it. Here was the raw material 
 he had to employ so as to obtain from it various market- 
 
€ THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 able products which would regulate his success, and he felt 
 tha't it was desirable for him to be intimately acquainted 
 with its inmost points of character. A long association 
 was anticipated, and hence he desired to establish a 
 friendly alliance with the soil, for he knew full well that 
 the successful results of that co-operation would largely 
 depend upon his own knowledge of his associate. His 
 knowledge of soils had shown him that they were almost 
 endowed with the attributes of life — that they could be 
 hungry, grateful, obstinate, or tender — showing a \W11 of 
 their own which he was bound to respect. The more he 
 knew of the soil, the more he realised the importance of 
 dealing with it as a thing of life, having tempers and 
 powers which demanded care and thoughtful considera- 
 tion at every step. 
 
 The arrangement for the steam-plough enabled Jack 
 to turn his horse labour to a work which was exceedinglj^ 
 important. The cultivation for autumn wheat needed 
 more than usual care, as the clover leys were thin, poor, 
 and crowded with weeds, so much so, indeed, that he 
 found it desirable to take advantage of the fine weather 
 of the early autumn to give this land as good a cleaning 
 as possible. Having arranged for a supply of a portion 
 of his seed-wheat from his friend Walrond, residing in 
 Scotland, who had given special attention to its gro-vvth, 
 it became more than ever desirable that the land should 
 be as free from weeds as possible. Being somewhat in 
 doubt as to the policy of having all his seed-wheat of 
 northern growth, he prudently secured a further supply 
 from other growers, but in each case he took care to have 
 seed which had been properly cultivated for this especial 
 use. If wheat be grown simply as food, it is a matter of 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 7 
 
 no importance whether it has any good hereditary ten- 
 dencies or not. It is a matter of perfect indifference 
 whether the beef we consume is produced by an animal 
 having a long pedigree or none at all, provided, of course, 
 that the quality of the meat be good. It is, however, 
 quite another matter when we employ an animal or a 
 seed to perpetuate its species, for then the hereditary 
 character becomes the chief consideration. During the 
 time Jack had been learning farming in Scotland, he had 
 seen the principles regulating the growth of seed, which 
 were taught in Rodney College, carried out in actual 
 practice on Mr. Walrond's farm. He was thereby en- 
 abled to acquaint himself very fully with their practical 
 value, and, being convinced of their importance, he 
 looked upon seed-wheat with a more critical eye than 
 usual. It was not sufficient for him that the sample 
 should please the eye. He required this condition, it is 
 true, but he wanted something more than this. To satisfy 
 his requirements the seed must have- been grown from 
 selected seed, grown through successive years from seed 
 chosen for its productive power and quality, with heredi- 
 tary powers intensified by judicious selection. If he had 
 intended his growth of wheat to be used for grinding 
 purposes he would still have been right in his course of 
 procedure, but as he wanted to sell as much as he could 
 for seed-wheat, the necessity for this care became the 
 more evident. 
 
CHAPTER 11. 
 
 The harvest was naturally a busy time, but the fine 
 weather of the autumn was not less so, and thus, with 
 willing hearts and active hands, a considerable change 
 had been effected in the appearance of the farm. Before 
 the winter had fairly commenced. Jack had the satisfac- 
 tion of seeing fifty acres sown with choice wheat in good 
 time and in fair condition, and an equal quantity of land 
 steam-ploughed for the root crops of the following season. 
 It was very rarely that Mr. Foster had succeeded in the 
 cultivation of roots, and hence no one was surprised to 
 see the swedes upon the farm yielding but a small 
 quantity of food. The young clovers were better than 
 usual, chiefly because they had had an opportunity of 
 settling themselves fairly into the land, without being fed 
 off by sheep. The purchase of the flock had been post- 
 poned for various reasons, and arrangements had been 
 made with Mr. Holmes for a large portion of the roots 
 to be fed upon the land, by sheep having com and oilcake 
 to finish them off" for the butcher. 
 
 The repairs and alterations of the house and homestead 
 interfered but little with the time or comfort of the 
 tenant. Mr. Thompson, the energetic steward of the 
 estate, was making good progress with the work, thus 
 leaving Jack perfectly free to devote his attention to the 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 9 
 
 work on the farm. Whilst matters were in this posi- 
 tion, he had a call from his friend, Dr. Whichcord, of 
 Wrexborough, whom he was glad to welcome to his new 
 home. 
 
 "You must pardon our confusion, Doctor," said Jack. 
 " The workmen have driven me into very close quarters, 
 so you must excuse a bachelor's room in more than usual 
 disorder." 
 
 " I wish you happiness and prosperity on your farm, 
 Mr. John," said the Doctor, "and I hope you will be 
 able to show us how to farm for profit ; for we shall ex- 
 pect something more than usual from you in this direc- 
 tion. Knowledge is power, you know ; and such power 
 should manifest itself in skilfully grappling with diffi- 
 culties. Your course of study ought to make you farm 
 more profitably than others who have not had similar 
 advantages. I tell you candidly, I shall watch anxiously, 
 but still hopefully, for that result. You are a represen- 
 tative man, and many an eye will be turned upon you to 
 see whether high class instruction in science is of practi- 
 cal value or simply a delusion. I wish you every success, 
 not only for your own sake, but because of the influence 
 it will exert upon educational progress. If your oppor- 
 tunities for study and practice do not result in some 
 pecuniary advantages, the promoters of science instruction 
 will almost doubt the wisdom of the course they are 
 taking." 
 
 "But, Doctor," replied Jack, "I would much rather 
 not be placed in this position, for I don't pretend to farm 
 better than others. It is true my eyes have been opened 
 to see many weak points in general farm management, 
 but I have at the same time learnt that our best know- 
 
10 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 ledge is excessively imperfect, and that it is necessary for 
 me to progress from day to day in gaining a fuller ac- 
 quaintance with agricultural science." 
 
 "So long," said the Doctor, "as your increase of 
 knowledge makes you a more humble learner, so long 
 it will aid you to success. But, turning to another 
 subject, I suppose we shall soon hear of some one else 
 coming to share your home, unless you are so far ' wedded 
 to science ' that you do not desire another bride." 
 
 "I suppose," said Jack, "your professional skill en- 
 ables you, almost by habit, to detect, not only bodily 
 ailments, but also mental affections, for you have referred 
 to a matter which has caused me much anxiety of late, 
 and I have been somewhat in difficulty respecting it. 
 The fact is, when I was in Scotland, I made the acquaint- 
 ance of the nicest girl that ever lived, but there are a 
 lot of difficulties about the matter. To begin with, my 
 father and mother are sure to say she is above the 
 position of a farmer's wife, but I don't see any reason 
 why a farmer's wife should cease to be a lady. I love 
 her, not because she has been born in a good position in 
 society, but because she has an intelligent mind, con- 
 genial tastes, and is ^ thoroughly warm-hearted affection- 
 ate girl." 
 
 " You see, Mr. John," said the Doctor, " this is another 
 of the consequences of higher education. You have fallen, 
 in love with this young lady because her mind, like your 
 own, has been expanded by education, and thus she has, 
 as you said, congenial tastes. In fact, I suppose it would 
 be almost a misery to you to be associated through life 
 with one who knew nothing more than the common 
 tittle tattle of every day gossip, and failed to sjTupathise 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 11 
 
 with you in your work and studies. Still you must bear 
 in mind that there are other duties than those of a 
 mental character; you have, after all, to come back to 
 the matter-of-fact responsibilities of every day life, and 
 it is a very serious question whether a lady, who has had 
 no claims upon her for real work, may care to have the 
 daily duties of a farmer's wife thrown upon her." 
 
 " I admit the truth of your remark," said Jack, " but 
 I have quite satisfied myself upon this point, for although 
 she has had but little to attend to in her mother's home, 
 she finds out work which is needed for others, and she is 
 by nature a zealous worker. With all she does for others, 
 she still pursues her studies, and is as well up in home 
 duties and domestic science as if she had been a regular 
 student. When her brother and I were giving our 
 lectures at Wrexborough, three winters ago " 
 
 "So, so! Mr. John," interposed the Doctor, "and I 
 suppose it is one of the sisters of our friend, Mr. Webster, 
 who is the lady-elect. Well, she is one of a good 
 type, and if she is anything like her brother, I commend 
 your good judgment." 
 
 " I did not intend to mention the young lady's name 
 until matters were more advanced," continued Jack; 
 " but I am sure you will deal carefully with it, and after 
 all, I think it is best for you to know it, for I wish, 
 Doctor, you would help me with a word or two to my 
 father, for I must see him about it soon, and I know he 
 values your good advice." 
 
 Jack's anticipations proved to be only too well 
 founded, for when the subject of his marriage was named 
 to his father, there appeared to be serious objections to 
 the lady who had been chosen. A few days only had 
 
12 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 elapsed when the Doctor called at the Holt, and the 
 subject of Jack's wedding was freely spoken of between 
 them. 
 
 "But," said Mr. Holmes, "if farmers' sons, because 
 they secure a college training, follow Jack's example, 
 and seek to marry girls of a higher position in society 
 than themselves, I should like to know what is to be- 
 come of the daughters of our farmers, who ought to be 
 able to marry into their own station — Are they to 
 become the wives of the educated labourers "i I think it 
 is a great mistake, and I have told Jack what I think 
 about it." 
 
 "There is a more hopeful view of the matter, I 
 think," said the Doctor. " The difficulty you fear may 
 be easily remedied by giving the daughters of farmers a 
 more liberal education. I do not mean simply learning 
 the usual accomplishments of the piano, French, Italian, 
 singing, and that sort of knowledge, but letting them 
 attend science lectures, and so making them more 
 generally intelligent persons. It may appear to you objec- 
 tionable for a man to marry out of his station, but just as ' 
 our educational system gives to both boys and girls that 
 knowledge which favours congenial tastes, so you will 
 find association becomes agreeable. If by education you 
 raise the one class into a region of more refined thought, 
 and leave the other class uncared for and neglected, such 
 a system is the real cause of the separation you fear. 
 The remedy, I think, is tolerably clear; give the boys 
 and girls equal opportunities, and I have no fear of the 
 girls being left behind. The evil to be feared entirely 
 arises from not dealing equally with them. You know that 
 the duties devolving upon a farmer render it desirable 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIEXCE. 13 
 
 that he should be a thoroughly intelhgent man, but very 
 few recognise the fact that the duties falling upon 
 women are equally important and demand equal intelli- 
 gence. I only hope Miss Webster may become your 
 daughter-in-law, and I shall be much surprised if she 
 does not make your son a very good wife." 
 
 " lam very glad, Dr. Whichcord, to have it explained," 
 said Mrs. Holmes, "and I think the way you look at it 
 is right. I say we must think more about our son, rather 
 than trouble about other persons' daughters. When 
 girls see that they don't get married because they don't 
 understand their proper duties, they will quickly set 
 themselves to work to learn them. Why, Doctor, between 
 ourselves, I know some real ladies who are not half so 
 much above putting their hands to do anything as the 
 daughters of our neighbour Watkins, and I think it is 
 best as it is. I wouldn't have had my Jack marry one 
 of those girls for anything, although I believe they are 
 both very fond of him." 
 
 The Doctor had certainly won the battle for Jack, 
 and his first difiiculty was soon after this satisfactorily 
 overcome. It proved to be the greatest difficulty, for, 
 after some correspondence with Mrs. Webster, Jack 
 accepted an invitation to spend his Christmas in Edin- 
 burgh, during which visit any remaining doubt was 
 removed, and Janet Webster became the bride-elect. 
 Jack's duties prevented him lingering long upon a fami- 
 liar scene, which had now been rendered so happy and 
 joyous. He returned to his farm in a few days, more 
 than ever desirous of completing the arrangements which 
 were in progress, and rendering the place as pleasant as 
 possible for the reception of his bride. It was no small 
 
14 . THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 satisfaction to Jack to learn that the Squire and Mrs. 
 Woodford had paid a visit to the Abbotts during his 
 absence, and had directed Mr. Thompson to carry out 
 some further improvements in and around the residence. 
 There were old associations between Mrs. Woodford and 
 Mrs. Webster which enabled them to correspond on the 
 contemplated engagement. The Squire's good opinion 
 of Jack went far to confirm the favourable impressions 
 which had been formed in Edinburgh, which led the 
 family to regard Jack as a good and worthy young fellow, 
 who would do honour to his position in society, and that 
 he might safely become the permanent guardian of one 
 who was a lady by birth and education. 
 
CHAPTER III 
 
 Residence in the country during the winter months is 
 a matter on which there is great diversity of opinion, 
 primarily because there is a great variation in the sur- 
 rounding circumstances, and also because we may look 
 upon the subject from very different standpoints. Jack, 
 following his father's example, was one of those who 
 went to market simply for business purposes, and made 
 an early return home. It is true he had stayed for some 
 of the evening lectures given to the Science Classes at 
 Wrexborough, but by far the majority of his evenings 
 were spent at the Abbotts, and it may be added that 
 they were spent in a profitable and agreeable manner. 
 He had very prudently arranged for one of the rooms of 
 ■he house to be specially fitted up for research. It was 
 to be "the inquiry room" of the establishment, and it 
 may be as well for the secret to be at once revealed, that 
 it had been fitted up after a long consultation with Janet 
 Webster, for it had to be made equally serviceable for 
 both of them. There was nothing very remarkable in 
 its general appearance, except, perhaps, a series of good 
 cupboards with certain mysterious contents, a very con- 
 venient American cooking-range, a supply of hot and 
 cold water, and a lead-lined water trough. The arrange- 
 ments for ventilation were good ; there were a couple of 
 
16 THE ABBOTTS FABM. 
 
 substantial deal tables, and as many chairs. For tjie 
 present Jack remained in sole possession, and many an 
 evening did he spend in this room carrying out some 
 inquiries which were of great importance to him. 
 
 The soil of the farm gave ample scope for work 
 during his winter evenings, for he had determined to 
 become as familiar with it as possible, and trace out all 
 its peculiarities of character. The general result for 
 which he was working was to prepare a map of the farm 
 showing its surface geology, and indicating by variations 
 in its colour the changes in the character and composition 
 of the soil The work itself was intensely interesting to 
 him, and made his evenings pass even too rapidly, but 
 its practical value was very great. It had been one of 
 the lessons which he had learnt in the Science Class at 
 Wrexborough, and still more perfectly in Eodney College, 
 that the essential material for plant growth which was 
 present in the soil in the least abundance was the body 
 which regulated the fertility of the land. Hence his 
 map of the fields had their several defective points duly 
 noted upon it, so that he might have a constant reminder 
 of the weak links in the chain. He was thus engaged 
 one evening upon his examination of the soils, when he 
 was interrupted by a call from Mr. Watkins, the tenant 
 of an adjoining farm. 
 
 "I have just looked in upon you, Mr. John," said he, 
 " just in a neighbourly way, for I think you must find it 
 mighty dull, and I hear you spend most of your evenings 
 at home. But what do you do with yourself?" 
 
 "Come into my inquiry room," said Jack, "and I 
 will show you some of my work." 
 
 "'Inquiry room,' d'ye call iti" said Mr. Watkins; 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 17 
 
 "and what are you inquiring about ^ Has it anything 
 to do with farming matters'?" 
 
 "Oh, yes," replied Jack, "my inquiries are all about 
 my farm. You see, Mr. Watkins, as I hope to live on 
 this farm for some years, I think the more I know about 
 the land the better. In this room I teach myself as 
 much as I can about it, and I try to find out its weak 
 points, so that I may deal with it accordingly." 
 
 "But what do you mean about weak points?" in- 
 quired Mr. Watkins. " Surely your land is strong enough 
 to please you." 
 
 "The land is good holding soil enough," replied 
 Jack; "but that is not what I mean. Every crop you 
 grow upon the land requires a great variety of materials, 
 and it wants all these materials to be present in the soil, 
 in a condition ready for use. If they are properly sup- 
 plied, the crop will in all probabiHty grow well and give 
 a good produce, but if the plant wants something which 
 is not there, or which is present in too small a quantity, 
 then the growth is checked, and it may be that the crop 
 fails. Thus you see that the weak point in a soil is sure 
 to be found out by the crop, but if I can find out the 
 weak point beforehand, I may be able to correct it, and 
 secure a good crop instead of letting the crop fail." 
 
 "Do you mean to say," inquired Mr. Watkins, "that 
 you can always prevent a failure of your crops by your 
 contrivances 1 If you can, I'd like to know more about it. " 
 
 "Failure of crop," replied Jack, "may arise from 
 several causes. It may be caused by a want of needful 
 food, or by an unfavourable climate, or by seed of a deli- 
 cate character. The first and the last we have largely 
 under our control, but the climate is less under our influ- 
 
 c 
 
18 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 ence. I am now working on the food question, and 
 learning as far as I can in what respects my soils require 
 further supplies of manure to give the crops all they 
 want. It is very like supplying a ship with provisions 
 after a long cruise, in preparation for another voyage. 
 They take stock of what remains, and thus they know 
 what fresh supplies are wanted. If they sent on board 
 a full supply of everything needed for the voyage, this 
 would involve an extravagant outlay, and if they guessed 
 what was required, the chances are they would run short 
 of some necessaries. I am taking account of the plant- 
 food in store, and making my notes of what are running 
 short ; so this shows what I call the weak points in the 
 soil." 
 
 "Well, if farming has come to this," said Mr. Wat- 
 kins, " it is time for me to give it up." 
 
 "You should remember," said Jack, "that this is 
 nothing more than every other manufacturer does. I 
 suppose the times have been so prosperous that there 
 has been no need to consider what is the store in hand, 
 but simply order fresh supplies in regular course, 
 whether they are wanted or not. . I don't say I can 
 entirely avoid such losses, but I shall try to do so as far 
 as I can." 
 
 "There can be no objection to that," said Mr. Wat- 
 kins, " and I wish you success ; but it certainly seems a 
 queer way of going to work. It won't do for you to 
 stick too closely to this sort of work. You must come 
 across and see us, now the girls are at home, for we shall 
 all be glad to see you, and it will help you to pass some 
 of these long winter evenings." 
 
 " I have really very little time to spare just now," 
 
PKACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 19 
 
 said Jack ; " my evenings are very much engaged, as you 
 see, and now the draining is going on, I am away as little 
 as possible by day." 
 
 " The draining will go on without you, right enough," 
 said Mr. Watkins. 
 
 "It is no use going to the expense of draining," said 
 Jack, " unless you test the pipe line very carefully, and 
 I don't mean a single line to be covered in before I have 
 satisfied myself with the regular slope of the drain. I 
 believe that thousands upon thousands of pounds have 
 been wasted, where men were permitted to judge of the 
 slope of the pipe line by the eye instead of proving the 
 regularity of the fall in a proper manner. Our Principal 
 at Eodney College always expressed himself very strongly 
 on the subject, and repeatedly urged upon us the greatest 
 care in this respect. If we get a single bend in the line 
 of pipes, the chances are it gets silted up, and the passage 
 is at length entirely closed. The pipes having been laid, 
 the land is supposed to have been properly drained, and 
 yet thousands of acres which are supposed to have been 
 drained, have the water very imperfectly removed from 
 them because of a number of such stoppages in the pipes. 
 I cannot expect the Squire to have any of the drains laid 
 a second time, neither do I want any permanent defects, 
 so I give every attention to the work as it proceeds. 
 Please make my apologies to the ladies, and say, that 
 when I have brought my bride to the Abbotts, I hope 
 we shall be better neighbours, and I shall be better able 
 to receive my friends." 
 
 "That will, indeed, be news for them," said Mr. 
 Watkins, in leaving. "We had not even heard you 
 were engaged. Do we know the young lady ?" 
 
20 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 "No," replied Jack, "she is quite a stranger, and 
 about as ladylike as she is intelligent." 
 
 "Goodbye," said Mr. Watkins, "if you won't come 
 and see us, I shall come again and see you, for I want to 
 look over your farm buildings." 
 
 As Mr. Watkins wended his way homewards, he re- 
 peated to himself over and over again the remark which 
 Jack had made — "as ladylike as she is intelligent." 
 After mature deliberation, he came to the conclusion 
 that Jack and his wife would be a curious pair, and 
 expressed his fears that education had spoilt a very tidy 
 young fellow. 
 
 The visits of Mr. Holmes to the Abbotts were fre- 
 quent, and were a source of satisfaction to Jack, for he 
 had the good sense to value the experienced counsel he 
 thus obtained from his father. It must also be stated, 
 in justice to Mr. Holmes, that although he sometimes 
 thought Jack rather disposed to "go ahead," he listened 
 attentively to his plans and arrangements, making many 
 useful suggestions. In this way the general system of 
 farm management became gradually settled in their 
 minds, and as time rolled on it was put into execution. 
 
 The repairs and alterations of the homestead had 
 been so far carried out that some cattle were being 
 finished off upon swedes, hay, corn, and cake, and some 
 capital manure was being made. The early preference 
 for box-feeding which Jack had imbibed from his visits 
 to the Lodge Farm, had induced him to have the feeding 
 accommodation on his own farm aiTanged on this plan. 
 One requirement had been studiously obsen^ed throughout 
 the homestead, namely, the means for the preservation 
 of the farmyard manure from loss. So perfect, indeed, 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 21 
 
 had this been done, that Mr. Holmes offered the landlord 
 five per cent upon the outlay necessary to bring the 
 buildings at the Holt Farm into an equally good position. 
 Some years before he had been perfectly indifferent 
 respecting the waste of drainage from the farmyard. 
 Since then he had learnt its value more and more per- 
 fectly, and few men were now more thoroughly satisfied 
 as to its fertilising influences when rightly used. The 
 detection of this waste of manure was associated with 
 many pleasing memories in the minds of both father and 
 son, and although some years had passed since they had 
 both recognised its value for the first time, that circum- 
 stance was still fresh in the minds of both. But they 
 had advanced considerably beyond thus preventing waste 
 which was so obvious to the eye, for they had learnt that 
 an equal loss often takes place in the fermentation of 
 manure, which the eye generally fails to detect. No 
 wonder then that Jack took care, in the alteration of 
 the farm buildings at the Abbotts, that there should be 
 no loss of fertilising matter in any form — whether visible 
 or invisible. 
 
CHAPTEE IV. 
 
 Although Mr. Watkins looked upon Jack's proceedings 
 as the wild vagaries of an inexperienced youth, he could 
 not divest his mind of the fact that the reasons he gave 
 were generally sound and good. His mental condition 
 was consequently somewhat peculiar, for his judgment 
 swung from side to side like the pendulum of a clock, as 
 he alternated between condemning him for his follies and 
 yet feeling convinced at other times that he had truth on 
 his side. He did not long delay another visit, for the 
 purpose of seeing the farm buildings at the Abbotts. As 
 it happened to be a rough and boisterous day, he knew 
 there would be no field work to draw Jack away from 
 the homestead. His anticipations proved to be correct, 
 and they soon made a survey of the premises. 
 
 "What do you think of the buildings'?" inquired 
 Jack. 
 
 "I never saw such an arrangement in my life," said 
 Watkins. "But why were you not content with having 
 the old buildings repaired "? They were suited to the 
 farm and district ; but as to these new-fangled ways, I 
 have no fancy for them." 
 
 " Your inquiry admits of a very plain answer," replied 
 Jack " I object to your style of buildings for several 
 reasons, and I take your own buildings as a fair example 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 23 
 
 for the district. You know that farmyard manure is a 
 good manure, and that it is expensive to make. For 
 these reasons I do my best to avoid all waste, but you 
 allow yours to be wasted. Then, again, you know that 
 stock improves more upon their food, if they are kept dry 
 and comfortable. Am I right or wrong so farf 
 
 " You are right so far as arguments go," said Watkins, • 
 
 " I am not speaking about arguments ; I am speaking 
 of facts," replied Jack. " If I am wrong, show me that I 
 am wrong, or else admit that what I say is true." 
 
 " Well, for argument's sake," said Watkins, " take it 
 that you are right, but what thenf 
 
 " Simply that if I am right in my facts," replied Jack, 
 " then you are wrong in your system of management, and 
 if you can afford to let the goodness of your farmyard 
 manure be wasted, I cannot. Look at the cattle in this 
 covered yard, and say which are the most comfortable, 
 mine or yours. I dare say your cattle are now treading 
 about knee-deep in slush, and instead of improving in 
 condition are really losing flesh. The food they eat 
 does them no good, and you are taking down much of 
 the flesh they had when they were put in your yards at 
 the beginning of winter." 
 
 " Ah ! but then see what a lot of manure we make 
 our way ; and after all, there is nothing like plenty of 
 farmyard manure," said Watkins. 
 
 "Granted that it is a valuable manure," said Jack, 
 " then why not take care of it when you have made it 1 
 Why do you allow it to waste." 
 
 Jack failed to get any answer to his inquiries, and after 
 a sufficient pause, to enable Watkins to realise the diffi- 
 culty of his position. Jack went on to say — 
 
24 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 " To avoid the waste of manure is a matter of immense 
 importance to me, because I give the stock I keep a fair 
 allowance of corn and cake. So far as I have learnt from 
 our College-men — and I am bound to say my own ob- 
 servation confirms their statements — the stock we keep 
 should be making progress day by day, proceeding, in 
 fact, with the work they have to do for the farmer, what- 
 ever that work may be. If you are keeping animals to 
 turn vegetable food into beef or mutton, they should con- 
 tinue steadily at their work. As my friend Professor 
 Nicholson used to say — the stock management of many 
 farmers is like treadmill work, a lot of labour, but no 
 progress — and I agree with him. Much food is given to 
 stock — and we will take your own case — and the only 
 thing it does is to keep them alive, for there is no pro- 
 gress made in the work which has to be done. It may 
 answer your purpose to waste food simply to make manure, 
 and then waste the manure you have thus made, but it 
 won't answer mine. This was the reason I got the Squire 
 to let me have a covered yard in addition to comfortable 
 shedding for other stock." 
 
 "But it will never answer your purpose," rejoined 
 Watkins, "to buy cake and corn for stock; there's no 
 pay about it, and so you'll find before long. It is quite 
 enough in these times to buy what you really want, with- 
 out spending money for what you know won't pay you for 
 the outlay." 
 
 "What you say is partly true and partly in error," 
 replied Jack. " Whether it will pay me to use corn and 
 cake depends upon several circumstances. If you have 
 two lots of cattle, one of which has been always kept on 
 the move, and by that I mean steadily improving and 
 
PKACTICE WITH SCIENCE. . 25 
 
 making meat from their birth, and the others have been 
 allowed to make flesh and lose much of it, over and over 
 again, as is the case with those in your yard now, similar 
 food given to these two lots would give very different 
 results. The one lot would be quite ready to make a 
 good use of the food, and the other lot could not do so, 
 and in fact would never be able to do equally good work. 
 Then again, much depends upon how you give the corn 
 and cake, for I could show you that there is a great dif- 
 ference in the results according to the way in which they 
 are used. It is perfectly true that good food may be used 
 and no satisfactory result gained, but it is equally true 
 that by good management you can secure a profitable 
 result." 
 
 "Work it as you like," said Watkins; "if you think 
 to make your profits by using corn and cake for feeding 
 stock, all I can say is I don't envy your profits." 
 
 "Here, again, we have a mixture of truth and error," 
 replied Jack. "I don't expect much direct profit, but if 
 I can only get repaid for the food and labour, I am a 
 decided gainer, for I can then get a large quantity of 
 manure free of cost, and thoroughly good manure too, 
 which is in itself a good profit." 
 
 "Well, I have never found the farmyard manure 
 alone good for much," said Watkins, " and I make a large 
 lot every year ; although I believe there is nothing which 
 will take its place for all that." 
 
 "But the manure you make," said Jack, "is no more 
 to be compared with what we are making here, than a 
 new farthing is to be compared to a sovereign. These 
 are both coins of the realm, and those, it is true, are both 
 known as farmyard manure — still they diff'er materially 
 
26 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 in value. Now, Mr. Watkins, as you are a man of 
 judgment and truth, let me ask you plainly whether you 
 would not like such a set of buildings as these on your 
 farmf 
 
 " Oh ! I could do with them very well," said Watkins, 
 " and I think they would be useful enough in their way, 
 but I suppose you have got something extra to pay for 
 themf 
 
 "Never mind the cost now," said Jack, "I am glad 
 you go away with a favourable opinion of them, but 1 
 have not shown you half their advantages. You fought 
 so hard against them, that we have lost much of our 
 time." 
 
 "Bless you, Mr. John," said Watkins, in leaving, "I 
 am not so bHnd as not to see their comfort and conveni- 
 ence, and I hope they'll answer your purpose well." 
 
 The more Jack thought of his discussion with Wat- 
 kins, the more convinced he became that the skirmish 
 between them ought to be rendered more complete. On 
 the following day — as the weather continued far too 
 rough and wet for the drainage work to be carried on — 
 he determined upon paying a return visit to his neighbour. 
 He was fortunate in finding Watkins at home, and he re- 
 ceived a cordial welcome from him. They were soon 
 joined by Mrs. Watkins and her two daughters, who 
 quickly turned the conversation from farming matters, by 
 congratulating Jack upon his engagement, and by making 
 various inquiries respecting the young lady. The attempt 
 to elicit information was far from successful, as Jack was 
 determined that from the lady herself should their in- 
 formation be gained. He accepted their invitation to 
 stop and dine with them, provided Mr. Watkins would 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 27 
 
 first take him out to see the stock, and after their walk 
 he would return to them. 
 
 It is scarcely necessary to detail their conversation or 
 even Watkins's feelings, as Jack drew attention to the 
 black streams running from the farm-yard into the ditch, 
 and the miserable condition of the stock in the yards as 
 they vainly endeavoured to find shelter for themselves 
 from the driving rain and sleet which were falling. 
 
 "They do not look very gay," said Jack; "possibly 
 they would be glad of some mackintosh covers and a 
 supply of good food." 
 
 "They are a hardy lot," said Watkins, "and they are 
 only having oat straw." 
 
 "If they were made of cast iron," replied Jack, 
 " they would rust themselves out, treading about in two 
 feet of slush ; and I daresay they would be happier if 
 your men had forgotten to thrash the oat straw. They 
 don't compare very favourably with mine under the 
 covered shed." 
 
 "As you have begun the comparison," said Watkins, 
 " I will show you that we can do some things here as 
 well as at the Abbotts. Anyhow we have a covered 
 manure pit which will please you, and there we take 
 every care of the manure, although I am bound to say 
 I don't like the plan." 
 
 "This is no better than the rest," said Jack; "here 
 you have gone to the opposite extreme, for here there is 
 waste in another form. Do you smell the ammonia you 
 are driving off so freely from the heap f 
 
 "I smell something, it is true," said Watkins, "but 
 that shows there is quality in the manure." 
 
 "And that quaHty you are getting rid of," interposed 
 
28 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 Jack, "instead of keeping it in the manure. You are 
 kinder to your neighbours than you are to yourself, for 
 some of this will very likely go over my steam-ploughed 
 land, and I shall hope to catch some of it, for I have laid 
 my nets out over fifty acres of ground." 
 
 "What shall we hear of next?" inquired Watkins. 
 " I believe there is no end to your new contrivances. I 
 must come and see that dodge. But what do you mean 
 about losing anything from this manure ; it's only a sort 
 of smell it has, and there's nothing to be seen, so I 
 suppose there's nothing of any value going off." 
 
 "Would you like me to show you what is going 
 offf asked Jack. 
 
 " I don't see how you are going to show me what I 
 smell," said Watkins, "but never mind, try your hand." 
 
 With this Jack brought from his pocket a very 
 small bottle of hydrochloric acid, and having moistened 
 a glass rod held it near the heap, showing the fumes of 
 ammonia as a little white cloud, and then he told Wat- 
 kins — "What you are wasting there, you will in the 
 spring purchase in the market at £100 per ton." There 
 was no need of argument, for Watkins was beaten, and 
 in saying "that it was very curious," and " that he didn't 
 know about it," he gave some slight evidence of the 
 conviction which had come home to him that with all 
 his knowledge of farming there were some new matters to 
 which he must pay attention, and that the sooner he did 
 so the better. At length he said to Jack — 
 
 " Well, Mr. John, you have more than ever surprised 
 me this morning, so some time soon I must see how you 
 manage to get over this loss, and what you are doing 
 with those nets on your land." 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 When the gentlemen returned to dinner, Watkins was 
 more than usually silent and thoughtful, and the con- 
 versation would have flagged, but for the ladies taking 
 upon themselves a large share of the duty. Many en- 
 deavours were made to bring the conversation to bear 
 upon Jack's engagement, but he skilfully avoided the 
 subject, and at length in self-defence was compelled to 
 introduce some other matter for conversation. 
 
 "Well, Miss Annie," said he, "and how is the Dairy 
 going onf 
 
 "Oh, Mr. John," she replied, "you must ask mamma 
 about that sort of thing, for we have nothing to do with 
 the dairy, or, in fact, anything of that character. It will 
 be time enough for us to attend to that when it becomes 
 a matter of duty, which I hope it never may." 
 
 "But suppose," continued Jack, "some young farmer 
 persuaded you to be his wife, would you not then think 
 of the saying 'practice makes perfect,' and begin to look 
 after the dairy at oncef 
 
 "I should hope, in such a case," she replied, "he 
 would not think he was marrying a dairymaid, for if he 
 did he would be terribly deceived." 
 
 "You fail to realise what I mean," said Jack. "I 
 do not mean that you should do the dairymaid's work ; 
 
30 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 but don't you think if you knew how the work should 
 be done you could the better direct any one in doing it f 
 
 "I really don't know," she replied, "and, if truth 
 must be told, I don't care, for when I do marry I'll 
 take care that I have no menial work falling upon me. 
 In fact, I think, unless you draw the line somewhere, you 
 may as well become a servant at once." 
 
 "Then you don't believe in your love for your 
 husband inducing you to do everything in your power 
 to promote his comfort and welfare f continued Jack ; 
 "and if bad times should come, and he be unable to 
 support you as he might desire, would you then object 
 to lend a helping hand? The contract, you know, is 
 *for richer and for poorer.'" 
 
 " You are too well up in this subject, Mr. John, for 
 us to discuss it with you," said Miss Clara. "I suppose 
 you have made a preliminary bargain with your lady-love 
 that when you cannot afford to keep a servant she is to 
 do the work herself. I would rather never marry than 
 be subject to such a risk." 
 
 "My conversation evidently annoys you both, and I 
 regret it," said Jack, "but consider whether it is fair to- 
 wards a husband to undertake the direction of domestic 
 duties which you do not even care to understand. I 
 think Mrs. Watkins will agree with me that it is desir- 
 able for any man's wife — however high her position — to 
 have an intelligent acquaintance mth the duties falling 
 upon her, and that the foundation for this should be laid 
 in the school education." 
 
 "Mamma may agree with you, Mr. John ; I do not," 
 said Miss Clara. " I have never taken any interest in 
 kitchen matters, and I never mean to. I shall be amused 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 31 
 
 to know what your wife will think of these matters, that 
 is, if she has been brought up as a lady, and I suppose 
 as you have been at college yourself, you expect your 
 wife to be properly educated." 
 
 "Yes, properly educated," said Jack, "but all turns 
 upon the word ' properly.' " 
 
 " We hear that she is as ladylike as she is intelligent," 
 said Miss Annie, "so, when we have the pleasure of her 
 acquaintance, we shall see your model of perfection. 
 Till then we will adjourn our discussion, but pray do 
 not think that wives are to become lady-helps." 
 
 "I don't want to interfere in your discussion," said 
 Mrs. Watkins, "but I will say this: — If the wife does 
 not become a helper to her husband, and take some 
 interest in his work, and do her best to promote his 
 comfort and business, she soon becomes an encumbrance, 
 and I would not give a pin for their happiness after 
 that." 
 
 " Thank you, Mrs. Watkins. I am delighted to hear 
 your opinion," said Jack. 
 
 "Thank you, mamma, awfully much," added Miss 
 Clara Watkins, in bitter irony. 
 
 The gentlemen then adjourned for a quiet talk. 
 
 " You have giTen me much to think over," said Wat- 
 kins. " It strikes me at present that you are near about 
 right on these matters, and if so I am terribly wrong, and 
 I can assure you I am much puzzled about them. But 
 when you were talking with my daughters at dinner, I 
 got more vexed than ever, for I see that their education 
 has spoilt them for the every-day work of life. Sorrow 
 may bring them to knowledge some day ; but they are 
 not like girls used to be when I was your age. Even now 
 
32 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 they wouldn't think of helping — or even obeying — their 
 mother. Novels, fancy-work, music, and singing, take 
 all their time, and when I hear them talk so foolishly it 
 almost breaks my heart, for times are not as they were. 
 Some day they may have to get their living, and I am 
 afraid it will only be a miserable living they will ever 
 earn. What are they good for 1 Certainly they are not 
 fit for being farmers' wives. In my opinion it's this edu- 
 cation which is doing all the mischief." 
 
 " If you say it arises from a bad system of education," 
 said Jack, " then I can thoroughly agree with you ; but 
 a good system of education is of all other things that 
 which is best calculated to prepare all of us for the duties 
 of life. I hate to hear girls speaking of domestic duties 
 as something beneath their consideration. I wonder 
 what would become of the general affairs of life, if men 
 acted on the same idea. The tendency of the present 
 time is towards the attainment of the highest excellence 
 in every profession and occupation of Hfe, and I think it 
 may be said that in respectable circles we have but one 
 solitary exception, which I am sorry to say is amongst 
 some of the ladies." 
 
 "But how would you mend itf inquired Watkins. 
 
 " I do not pretend to be able to answer your inquiry," 
 said Jack, " but it is the opinion of those who are best 
 able to judge, that the evil is curing itself. They consider 
 that the education of a large number of the girls of the 
 middle class has been miserably defective, and has so far 
 entirely failed to fulfil its duties. They say that educa- 
 tion should train the mind into habits of thought and 
 accurate observation, and prepare persons for an intelli- 
 gent understanding of the various duties of life. In far 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 33 
 
 too many cases their education has resulted in girls having 
 a distaste for duty, a desire for luxurious ease, and a de- 
 mand for expensive establishments, which prevent men 
 marrying early in life. The consequence is that marriage 
 too frequently becomes too much an exceptional condition, 
 instead of being the general rule of life ; and the giddy 
 butterflies, whose peculiar views precluded them from be- 
 coming happy wives, have finally to pass a weary life of dis- 
 appointed hopes. I am told that the tide has now turned, 
 and that the evil is being corrected at the fountain head." 
 
 " I hope," said Watkins, " as you have evidently given 
 some attention to this defect in female education, that 
 you have picked out a lady of the right sort for your wife." 
 
 "Time will prove," replied Jack; "but I am quite 
 satisfied in that respect." 
 
 The visit Jack paid to Watkins's farm brought more 
 than one of the family into a thoughtful frame of mind, 
 and the conversation of that day was not soon forgotten. 
 When he returned home he found a note from Mr. Wood- 
 ford, who, having just returned to the Castle, expressed a 
 wish to see him on the following morning. It should, 
 perhaps, be stated that the Squire took a special interest 
 in Jack. He had seen him grow up on his estate, he had 
 known him as the first holder of the Government Scholar- 
 ship he had established in connection with the Wrex- 
 borough Science Class, for the Principles of Agriculture. 
 He had watched Jack through his career in Rodney 
 College with the greatest satisfaction, and for these and 
 other reasons he was gratified in having him settled on 
 his estate as the tenant of the Abbotts Farm. The Squire 
 was exceedingly anxious for his success, and at their in- 
 terview informed himself very fully as to his progress, 
 
 D 
 
34 . THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 and the future course of procedure he had decided upon. 
 Besides this, he was particularly anxious to bring to- 
 gether the several persons who had held the Scholarships 
 he had established, and he desired Jack to aid in carry- 
 ing out his wishes. 
 
 It will probably facilitate a notice of these proceedings, 
 if some particulars are given of the Scholarships referred 
 to. Some years before the time now under notice, a class 
 had been established in Wrexborough by Mr. Nicholson, 
 for giving instruction in the Principles of Agriculture 
 under the Government Department of Science. With a 
 view to encourage the tenants of his estate in sending 
 their boys to this class, Mr. Woodford established a 
 Government Scholarship, which enabled the most success- 
 ful boy to go to a College for two years, and perfect his 
 course of instruction in Agricultural Science. The system 
 under which this was done, was a pajonent of £25 a year 
 by Mr. Woodford, which amount was doubled by the 
 Department of Science, and thus made a £50 Government 
 Scholarship. Jack gained the first scholarship, and as he 
 was entitled to hold it for two years, the Squire established 
 another during the following year, and thus there were 
 always a first year and a second year scholar in Kodney 
 College, from the Wrexborough Science Class. In this 
 way there were several young men in the neighbourhood 
 who had undergone this course of education. The Squire 
 very prudently desired that they should be re-united after 
 their return from the CoUege, so as to be associated to- 
 gether for their mutual advantage. The execution of the 
 work he entrusted to Jack at the interview just referred 
 to, and he forthwith proceeded to carry out the Squire's 
 suggestions. 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 35 
 
 Acting in concert with those in the neighbourhood 
 who had already held the scholarships, it was arranged 
 that the past and present holders of the Wrexborough 
 .Scholarships should meet at least twice every year, viz. — 
 at the end of June — immediately after the session of 
 Eodney College had terminated, — to welcome back the 
 scholars ; and also at the end of September, to bid good 
 cheer to those going up for the new session. It was also 
 proposed that the President of the year should always be 
 a fully qualified member of Eodney College, and that 
 such President should deliver an address on taking office, 
 having — amongst other subjects — especial reference to 
 any improvements in agricultural practice, which were 
 of importance to the district around Wrexborough. 
 This gave full opportunity for a bond of union being 
 established amongst the scholars, whilst at the same time 
 it strengthened the hands of the committee regulating 
 the local science classes, and was calculated to bring in a 
 steadily increasing number of pupils for instruction. At 
 the express desire of the past scholars, Mr. Woodford 
 acceded to the request that he would act as their patron, 
 such support on his part being calculated to give firmness 
 and stability to their association. 
 
CHAPTEE VI. 
 
 The arrangement which Jack had made for having his 
 swedes consumed on the land, provided for their being 
 finished in February. As the ground was cleared, so he 
 followed quickly with his ploughing of the land, and he 
 was fortunate in getting some frost upon the greater 
 portion, which mellowed the soil, and prepared it for 
 yielding a good seed bed. Taking advantage of favour- 
 able weather, he succeeded in getting a large portion of 
 his breadth of oats sown in capital condition, and very 
 much earlier than any of his neighbours. He had secured 
 from his friend Walrond some carefully grown seed-oats, 
 and altogether felt very well satisfied with the successful 
 conduct of this part of his spring sowing. The remain- 
 ing portion of the land on which the sheep had been 
 eating the swedes, was prepared for barley, and upon 
 this also he got his seed in tolerably early. It was soon 
 after he had progressed thus far with his spring work 
 that his neighbour Watkins paid his promised visit 
 One of his earliest inquiries was, 
 
 "Have you got any spring corn sown yet"?" 
 "I have finished my sowing," replied Jack. "We 
 had the land in good condition, and I sowed without 
 delay." 
 
 " You have made a mistake for once in your life, Mr. 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 37 
 
 John," added Watkins ; " you are much too early for this 
 country. We commence in a few days, and we shall be 
 full early." 
 
 "I'd rather be too early than risk being too late," 
 said Jack ; "but what do you think of my seed-corn f 
 
 "Too good, too good," said Watkins ; " it's a sin not 
 to have such oats as those ground for meal. I don't 
 think I ever saw such fine heavy oats, and all so true. 
 They must have weighed forty-eight pounds a bushel. 
 They are a deal too good for seed." 
 
 " You are a little too high in the weight, but they 
 are fully forty-six pounds per pushel," said Jack. "I 
 don't think you can have seed too good, provided you 
 have the proper constitutional strength preserved. As 
 you justly remark, they are very true and even. You 
 must remember that I have only sown two bushels per 
 acre, and you will probably sow four bushels, so I cannot 
 be condemned for extravagance in the cost of the seed." 
 
 "You'll have no plant with such small seeding," said 
 Watkins. " I don't like to spare the seed ; anyhow, if 
 you don't get a good plant, you can't possibly get a good 
 crop." 
 
 " I am often much amused with your arguments," said 
 Jack. "You are so apt, unintentionally no doubt, to 
 mix up truth and error — may I say in sandwich form — 
 the truth being outside, and the error always under cover. 
 You would justify thick sowing to secure a good plant, 
 overlooking the fact that by using fewer seeds, and 
 giving them time and food to make a free growth, you 
 can get sufficient plant to produce a heavy crop. If you 
 are later in your sowing than I am, you must of course 
 use more seed. I should have done so myself if I had 
 
38 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 sown later than I did. By sowing early, I save seed, I 
 get a stronger plant, and the chances are in my favour 
 for an earlier harvest," 
 
 "You are too sharp upon me, Mr. John," said Wat- 
 kins. " I suppose when you were at college you used 
 to practise this sort of argument, for you seem to hit the 
 weak points in an argument as easily as you find the 
 weak points in the soil." 
 
 " My college work did me much good in that way," 
 said Jack, " and especially in our discussions, for we were 
 always on our guard against an argument being carried 
 by craft. Our Principal was always on the look-out for 
 anything of the kind, and if we missed seeing it, he would 
 quietly unveil the trick. The great safeguard is in 
 coming back to facts. If these are against the argu- 
 ments, so much the worse for the arguments. There is 
 no doubt in my mind that there is as much to be gained 
 by a well-conducted college education in teaching you to 
 detect error, as in training you for the acquirement of 
 truth — in fact, teaching you how to teach yourself." 
 
 "I want you to show me the nets you have got for 
 catching that ammonia I am losing," said Watkins, "for 
 this puzzles me more than anything I have heard of your 
 new contrivances." 
 
 Jack and Watkins walked to the fifty acres of steam- 
 ploughed land. They had not taken many steps on that 
 ground when Watkins remarked, 
 
 " I had no idea you had such soil on this farm, and 
 (pushing his stick down into it) what a depth you have 
 got. This land always seemed to me to be close and 
 sticky, but you have got it like a garden soil. I heard 
 our chaps say you had got the steamer at work up here, 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 39 
 
 but I told 'em 'you had put the cart before the horse,' 
 for I Hked to use the steamer for threshing out the crop 
 after it is grown, but I never expected to see land like 
 this on the Abbotts. I wonder if old Mr. Foster would 
 know the soil he farmed so many years. Why, I could 
 grow almost anything on this land — 'twould grow rare 
 carrots, I believe, and it looks so kindly." 
 
 "I shall not grow carrots here, anyhow," said Jack, 
 "but I shall hope to get some good mangel wurzels and 
 swedes. I shall also keep a good piece for ' Student ' 
 parsnips." 
 
 "Whatever sort of parsnips are those f inquired 
 Watkins. " Have they come from college f 
 
 "Yes ; they came from college, safe enough," replied 
 Jack ; " and they are a wonderful good sort." 
 
 "I don't understand you," rejoined Watkins, "any 
 more than I do about them nets you say you have got 
 here. Where are they f 
 
 "As to the nets," said Jack, "you see how this soil 
 has been laid open to the air through the winter, and I 
 must tell you that the little particles of the soil when so 
 exposed are constantly drinking in from the air which 
 surrounds them any ammonia which may be present in 
 it. Thus it happens that any ammonia you allow to 
 pass off from your manure heap mixes with the air, and 
 if it passes over this soil I get the benefit of as much as 
 my nets will catch. Then again, when the rain falls, it 
 also gets a supply of this ammonia as it falls through the 
 air, and as it passes through my land it is all caught by 
 these minute portions of the soil, and safely held until 
 it is wanted for some crop. Thus, when you drive your 
 ammonia off from the manure heap, you lose it, but it is 
 
40 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 still likely to be of service to any neighbour who has 
 put his land in a condition to catch it." 
 
 " But does not ammonia get away from your manure 
 heaps as well as mine 1" inquired Watkins. 
 
 "I take good care about that," replied Jack. "I 
 value it too highly to let it go, for if I did lose it I 
 should have to buy some more to replace it It is dear 
 stuff, as I told you, worth £100 a ton." 
 
 " I'd like to know how you manage that," said Wat- 
 kins, " for you seem to know something about the nature 
 of those sorts of things, and it don't seem to matter 
 whether you can see them or not ; you appear to keep 
 your own, and catch your neighbours' also." 
 
 "It would take me too long," said Jack, "to tell you 
 all about it, because the fermentation of farmyard manure 
 is rather a complicated matter; but, to put it briefly, I 
 may say that if you let the manure heap get too dry or 
 too hot, when you open the heap, you find a strong smelL" 
 
 "Ah!" interposed Watkins, "enough to take your 
 breath away and knock you down." 
 
 "That is quite true," continued Jack, "and it is the 
 ammonia you are driving off" from the manure which 
 does that, and this is beyond doubt of very great value. 
 If you keep the manure heap moderately moistened this 
 does not happen. You are making two distinct losses 
 in your homestead. In the covered manure pit you are 
 driving off the ammonia by heat, and in the yard, where 
 you have sufficient moisture to keep the fermentation 
 going on moderately, there you let the rain wash out this 
 ammonia and other manures, and it is wasted in another 
 way. Now, what I have done in my farm buildings is 
 to prevent the manure being washed out, and the soak- 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 41 
 
 age — all of which runs into tanks — I have pumped over 
 the manure from time to time, thus I keep it undergoing 
 a good and safe fermentation. As I told you before, 
 your farmyard manure is no more to be compared to 
 mine than a new farthing is to a sovereign, because I 
 enrich mine by good food, and then take care of it after- 
 wards, but you do exactly the reverse." 
 
 "I'll soon stop this mischief, or my name is not 
 George Watkins," said he. "I thank you very much 
 for what you have told me, and I bid you ' Good morn- 
 ing.'" 
 
 Although Jack was a young farmer, he had become 
 very well accustomed to the jokes of a class of persons 
 who did not fully appreciate the value of Agricultural 
 Science. An old and experienced farmer — a man dis- 
 tinctly in advance of his time — had given Jack this 
 advice : — " Keep out of the crowd, keep the lead if you 
 can, but don't go too far ahead. It will be safer for your- 
 self, and you will draw the rest after you." Hence, in 
 his course of farm management, he was largely guided by 
 the results of the most successful practice of good men, 
 and bringing their experience under the consideration of 
 his father, his zeal was tempered by the caution of an 
 older head. In this respect he had many advantages, 
 and he was wise enough to value them. It is probable 
 that few men had altered more in mental character within 
 a few years than his father had done. As a matter of 
 fact, Holmes was at one time as firmly convinced of the folly 
 of "book farming," as any one could possibly be, and it was 
 only when he saw that without giving up any knowledge 
 he had acquired by long experience, the pocket was 
 likely to be enriched by some supplemental information. 
 
42 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 that he changed his opinion and consented to become a 
 learner. Since that time he had given time and thought to 
 the study of the subject, and he had really informed him- 
 self largely upon Agricultural Science. The enlightened 
 counsel he was able to give to his son — based as it was 
 upon extended experience, tempered by a mind open to 
 conviction — was in every way calculated to lead both to 
 accurate conclusions. So also, in the quiet retirement of 
 their own home, Mr. Holmes and his wife would recall 
 to mind many of the incidents connected with Mr. Nichol- 
 son's lectures and his visits to the Holt farm. He, it is 
 true, had been taken from amongst them to hold a Pro- 
 fessorship in Eodney College, but the work he had 
 commenced with them could never be erased from their 
 memory. Year after year Mr. Holmes had received two 
 pupils from the college to learn the business of farming, 
 but all told the same tale of his favour with the students, 
 who were invariably impressed with the fact that, in 
 giving them instruction in agricultural science, he spoke 
 as a man who knew the practical value of the information 
 he conveyed to them. His addition to the college had 
 therefore been of the highest value in promoting the 
 efficiency of the work of the institution. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Holmes listened to the incidents of college life brought 
 to them from time to time by new pupils, and they 
 rejoiced to hear of the steadily increasing prosperity of 
 Rodney College, of which Jack was a fully qualified 
 member. 
 
CHAPTEE yil. 
 
 It was by no means an unusual circumstance for the two 
 farm pupils at the Holt to pay a visit to the Abbotts, and 
 watch the progress of affairs on that farm also. Mr. 
 Holmes had steadily adhered to the plan he arranged 
 when his son and Charles Webster were his pupils. One 
 day of the week (Thursday) was set aside for making up 
 their records and comments respecting the operations 
 proceeding on the farm, but during the residue of the 
 week they regularly took part in the work of the farm. 
 Their notes having been completed, a tour of inspection 
 to some neighbouring farm generally followed. A visit 
 to the Abbotts was therefore a matter of somewhat fre- 
 quent occurrence, more especially as they generally had 
 the opportunity for a profitable exchange of views. The 
 present pupils were two young men who had passed two 
 years in Rodney College, where they had gained the 
 Science Certificate of the college, and were now learn- 
 ing the practice of farming. The regulations of Eodney 
 College did not admit of pupils taking the diploma of the 
 college until after fully two years of farming experience, 
 but it was very prudently provided that the examinations 
 in science should take place when they had undergone 
 the regular course of science instruction. Acting upon 
 the same principle, the authorities refused to permit 
 
44 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 candidates to be examined in the practice of agriculture, 
 until after they had had a proper course of instruction 
 in the work of the farm. Thus, year by year had Mr. 
 Holmes received from Eodney College two of the students, 
 who, having completed their college work, desired oppor- 
 tunities for learning farming. 
 
 In their interviews with Jack they found one who 
 had preceded them in the course they were taking, and 
 could aid them by his friendly advice. In examining the 
 work carried out in the inquiry room, they were dealing 
 with a subject with which they had become perfectly 
 familiar by their laboratory course of instruction, but it 
 was exceedingly interesting to them to see how that 
 knowledge could be advantageously applied for practical 
 purposes. Occasionally they were invited to stay for the 
 evening at the Abbotts, and these visits very generally 
 afforded opportunities for useful discussion or inquiry. 
 A sample of the seed-barley which had been sown by 
 Jack became the subject of notice on the present occasion. 
 
 " This is much finer barley, Mr. John," said Evered 
 Stevenson, " than we are sowing at the Holt ; do you in- 
 tend to try to grow malting barley here, for Mr. Holmes 
 said this soil about here wouldn't grow good malting 
 barley." 
 
 " I do not expect to grow good malting barley," said 
 Jack, " but I hope to grow some barley which shall be 
 worth quite as much per bushel, which will be the case 
 if I grow some good seed for producing malting barley." 
 
 " But does not the best malting barley always pro- 
 duce the best malting barley, where the soil is suitable 1" 
 inquired George Hunter. 
 
 " No doubt," replied Jack, " a high quality malting 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 45 
 
 barley used as seed, under favourable circumstances, is 
 likely to reproduce a good quality, but it gradually be- 
 comes more delicate, and therefore less productive. I 
 do not lose sight of the value of a naturally high quality 
 malting barley, and hence I have secured some for seed, 
 but I now want to produce from it seed possessing the 
 same hereditary character, only backed up by greater 
 constitutional strength. The produce I shall get in all 
 probability will not possess the beauty of form which 
 distinguishes this sample, and it is very likely that if any- 
 one did not know its history, he would simply describe 
 it as strong feeding barley, and nothing more. The 
 value of the produce I hope to get will only be recognised 
 by an experienced grower of malting barley. If he saw 
 this, the original seed, by the side of its produce, he 
 would know the value of the change which had been 
 accomplished." 
 
 "If I understand you rightly," said George Hunter, 
 "you will have improved the barley for seed, but it 
 will lose much of its fine appearance." 
 
 "I will give you a parallel case in animal life," said 
 Jack. "You have probably seen cases of well-bred 
 horses which have been kept up in high condition for 
 racing purposes generation after generation, and at last 
 there is an interval given for one generation, in which 
 the training is discontinued. Everything, in fact, is 
 done to promote the health and constitutional strength, 
 and this is accompanied by a certain sacrifice in the 
 beauty of the animal. To the general observer a loss 
 has been made, instead of an advantage having been 
 gained, but when the next generation comes in for train- 
 ing, they will be found to possess an increase of nervous 
 
46 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 energy and power, which proves that the period of rest 
 was most valuable. The blood was maintained in full 
 purity, but more natural habits were permitted to increase 
 the constitutional strength of the breed, and thereby the 
 various attributes of character were brought out again in 
 higher perfection. It is just the same with malting bar- 
 ley ; you can infuse into it greater reproductive powers, 
 if, whilst guarding against loss of hereditary type and 
 character, you produce a seed not so highly developed" 
 
 "This is not very generally done, is it?" inquired 
 Evered Stevenson. 
 
 " Not generally, it is true, but its value is acknow- 
 ledged by some," said Jack. "I will tell you what is 
 more frequently done, which, whilst acknowledging the 
 same principle, is a very inferior mode of carrying it 
 into practice. I refer to the plan of using for seed the 
 tail barley of a good malting sample. Here, you see, 
 they use the less perfectly developed portion of a good 
 crop. This distinctly indicates the same principle, and 
 shows that an over-developed or forced growth is gener- 
 ally associated with a weakened constitution. Thus, by 
 using a good sample of malting barley for seed, although 
 I shall not get so large a produce as if I used the tail 
 barley of the same growth, I hope to be more than com- 
 pensated for this loss, in the yield by a seed more in- 
 tensely capable of producing a large crop of the very best 
 malting barley. I may also tell you that this rule applies 
 to many other kinds of agricultural produce." 
 
 "I wish," said George Hunter, **you would tell us 
 something more about this, and give us another instance." 
 
 " You cannot have a better illustration than the po- 
 tato," continued Jack "Here you have a seed, although 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 47 
 
 it is one of large size, but this gives better opportunities 
 for observing its changes. The prevailing taste has en- 
 couraged the growth of potatoes so that when they are 
 cooked they shall become a floury mass. You know as 
 well as I can tell you, that this floury appearance arises 
 from the starch of the potato being able to burst the cell- 
 walls within which that starch has been formed. If the 
 cell-walls are so strong that the starch has not sufficient 
 power, then you get a close and waxy potato ; but if 
 these walls are weak, then they are easily burst in the 
 cooking, and you get a floury potato. Hence the market 
 requirements necessitate potatoes being grown with a 
 weakened cellular system — in other words, they are over- 
 stretched in their growth — and by such forced develop- 
 ment you secure them in the much-desired condition. 
 Now what is the consequence '? You establish thereby 
 in the potato a tendency to produce roots having a weak 
 and enervated system, and as a natural result they be- 
 come feeble and delicate in their character, a ready prey 
 to any disease. Gardeners, however, know very well 
 that if they would secure good seed potatoes, they must 
 take up a portion of the crop before the roots have 
 become thus overgrown, or (as they are often termed) 
 fully ripe. Having thus done their best to prevent the 
 damage arising, they expose them to the sun, and thereby 
 secure them with greenish or toughened skins. Without 
 pursuing this question more deeply as to the action upon 
 the potato, you notice we learn, that you can by a forced 
 growth carry the potato beyond the condition in which 
 it is most valuable as seed. It is just the same with 
 barley; to meet the requirements of the maltster you 
 want the cellular matter beautifully fine and delicate, 
 
48 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 and the starch very perfectly developed — in other words, 
 you want it in the highest condition of forced growth. 
 It is a magnificent product, no doubt, and I do not say 
 one word against the desirability of the result, but you 
 make a great mistake if you imagine that you have 
 secured it in its highest condition for seed. Hence I 
 think, whilst you grow barley of the highest type for the 
 maltster, you should from time to time, at any rate, 
 secure a succession of seed which shall not only have a 
 strong tendency to produce malting barley of the best 
 quality, but with productive powers capable of yielding 
 an abundant crop." 
 
 " Have you ever known com so over-developed as to 
 fail as seed?" inquired George Hunter. 
 
 "Yes," replied Jack, "I well remember one case 
 which Dr. Thomson named to me, which will just illus- 
 trate your inquiry. A farmer in Herefordshire had a 
 fine piece of land and in splendid condition, which he 
 sowed with some remarkably fine white wheat, naturally 
 hoping to have an unusually good crop. The quantity of 
 seed corn was not sufficient for finishing the field, and 
 the headlands were sown with the tail wheat of the same 
 growth. The season proved to be more than usually 
 severe and unfavourable, and when the time of harvest 
 arrived, he had a splendid crop of high quality on the 
 headlands, but in the body of the field the crop was 
 a failure, for the corn produced was scarcely worth 
 reaping." 
 
 " It is very good of you, Mr. John, to give us such 
 an explanation," said Evered Stevenson, "because it 
 helps us to see how you would keep up the quality, and 
 also secure a large produce. This is, of course, what we 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 49 
 
 want to succeed in doing. Do you think we are to have 
 any great improvements made in farm seeds, by any 
 further application of this principle?" 
 
 "Ah!" said Jack, "there you touch upon a most 
 important matter, and I question if, in the entire range of 
 agricultural science, you can find one which is of greater 
 importance for the immediate future of farming. For 
 some years past very great attention has been paid to 
 the influence of pedigree in all kinds of stock, so much 
 so that we now have records published showing long 
 pedigrees of cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs. It is one of 
 the noblest results of the eff'orts of our various agricul- 
 tural societies. Excellence of quality, rapidity of growth, 
 and great economy of food, have been secured by the 
 efforts of those who have long and perseveringly laboured 
 for their attainment, and for securing these valuable 
 helps for the farmer. We can as yet say little about 
 the encouragement given for the growth of superior farm 
 seeds. Let us be thankful a commencement has been 
 made in this direction. It is difficult even to imagine 
 the proportions to which it will hereafter reach ; at any 
 rate you must for the present be content with this very 
 general answer to your inquiry." 
 
CHAPTEE VIII. 
 
 " Have you determined what manure you are going to 
 use this season?" inquired Mr. Holmes of Jack. "It is 
 time for this to be settled, and I may as well order mine 
 with yours." 
 
 " I have pretty well made up my mind as to what I 
 want," replied Jack, "but I don't mean to pay agency 
 fees, as you have done before. Our friend Catchiem is a 
 very good sort of a fellow, but for all that I don't see 
 why I should pay him ten or twenty shillings a ton, or 
 more, for acting as agent in securing my order for 
 Messrs. Super and Co. No doubt he has done a good 
 service in this neighbourhood by securing the supplies 
 from a thoroughly respectable firm, and it was probably 
 much cheaper for many to buy through him than run 
 the risk of not getting a good quality manure. I am 
 glad to say I can now take care of myself, for my inquiry 
 room arrangements quickly enable me to test what I get. 
 I am disposed to treat this matter as an ordinary com- 
 mercial transaction, regardless of friendship, and not to 
 make an exception in such an important matter as the 
 purchase of manures." 
 
 " You have certainly an advantage," said Mr. Holmes, 
 " because you know what you want ; but for all that, I 
 think manure agents are, and have been, a very useful 
 body of men " 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 51 
 
 "I would be sorry," continued Jack, "to say any- 
 thing against manure agents. They have done a very 
 useful work in pressing farmers to buy artificial manures ; 
 but I don't think we want their help now in the ordinary 
 way. I don't wish to pay a commission, unless they can 
 give me value received for what I have to pay, and I 
 suppose you feel much the same as I do. I want 10 tons 
 of mineral superphosphate, containing 30 per cent 
 soluble phosphate, and I am rather disposed to get 
 quotations of price for its delivery at Wrexborough 
 Station, on prompt cash terms." 
 
 "I shall want about the same quantity," said Mr. 
 Holmes; "you may therefore double the order, and I'll take * 
 the half. But are you right in ordering superphosphate, 
 when you know that our experience in this neighbour- 
 hood shows that the reduced superphosphate does the 
 best work f 
 
 "I can get you over that difficulty," said Jack, "for 
 if manufacturers will not make reduced superphosphate 
 we must do it for ourselves, although it represents a 
 waste of some of the sulphuric acid employed in the 
 manufacture. I shall mix half a ton of very finely ground 
 mineral phosphate with every ton of the superphosphate, 
 and I shall thus turn all the soluble phosphate into a 
 reduced or more slowly soluble condition. I shall thus 
 improve a quantity of unmanufactured mineral phosphate, 
 and correct that which has been over-manufactured. There 
 will be about three months, during which they lie in the 
 heap after being mixed, before we shall want to use the 
 manure, and by that time I should think both will be 
 improved for use — but spoilt for analysis." 
 
 "That diff'erence ought not to be," said Mr. Holmes. 
 
52 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 " If the analysis does not indicate the proper raanurial 
 value, it shows that there is something wrong about the 
 analysis." 
 
 " When they will alter it, I don't know," said Jack, 
 " but at present chemists will only value superphosphates 
 by the soluble phosphates they contain. If I mixed 
 bone meal with a superphosphate, I could lower its 
 valuation as much as I liked — dependent of course on 
 the quantity of bone meal added — and yet every farmer 
 knows I should have really improved the quaUty. No ! 
 I am right in saying improved for use, but spoilt for 
 analysis." 
 
 " Do persons ever take advantage of analysis for 
 making a manure appear better than it really is?" 
 inquired Mr. Holmes. 
 
 " There is less generally known about this point of 
 the business," said Jack, " but I have been told on good 
 authority that such is really a fact, and that certain 
 materials are often used because they analyse well. In 
 plain English that means, I suppose, that they show by 
 analysis something above what they ought to do. At- 
 tention has been drawn to these matters, and I hope 
 they will soon be set right." 
 
 "What quantity per acre are you calculating upon 
 using, and what do you expect it will cost you V inquired 
 Mr. Holmes. 
 
 " I expect to pay about 3s. per unit for the super- 
 phosphate, and Is. 6d. per unit for the finely ground 
 mineral phosphate," replied Jack, "that is delivered free 
 in Wrexborough station." 
 
 " It's no use talking to me about price per unit, it 
 may be very convenient for those who understand it," 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 53 
 
 said Mr. Holmes; "but how much does it cost per 
 acref 
 
 "Each unit means one per cent," said Jack. " Now 
 I said the superphosphate should be 30 per cent soluble 
 — or 30 units — and I also said it would cost about 3 s. 
 per unit, therefore three times thirty is ninety shillings 
 per ton. The mineral phosphate will give fully 60 per 
 cent of phosphate — or 60 units — and at eighteenpence 
 per unit this will be ninety shillings per ton also. I am 
 going to put on 4 cwt. of superphosphate and 2 cwt. of 
 mineral phosphate, which will cost twenty-seven shillings 
 per acre, and this will be a very good dressing for the 
 land." 
 
 "As you have no farmyard manure going on the 
 land for roots," said Mr. Holmes, "you are right in 
 manuring it well, and after all, this is not dear for so 
 much phosphate. May be you will get them cheaper 
 than you calculate." 
 
 As it turned out, Mr. Holmes was right, for as Jack 
 paid within a month of the delivery — having just had 
 fair time to satisfy himself as to the strength of his pur- 
 chases — the cost came well within the calculation Jack 
 had made, but he bought through Catchem after all, as 
 he offered the manure on the best terms. The manures 
 when received and examined were mixed into a heap, 
 and allowed so to stand for the three remaining months 
 before the phosphate would be used upon the land. Not 
 many days after this had all been settled and arranged, 
 his neighbour Watkins called upon Jack, and the conver- 
 sation naturally turned upon the manure for the root 
 crops. Watkins informed him that he had purchased 
 some of Messrs. Super and Co.'s swede manure, at the 
 
54 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 rate of 6 cwt. per acre, and at a cost of 48s., and had 
 agreed for payment to be made by the end of the year. 
 
 "You are an extravagant man," said Jack ; "I have 
 got a better dressing for the land, and saved half the 
 rent of the land in the difference between our two pur- 
 chases. The price you are to pay means 20s. on each 
 ton for agency, 30s. on each ton for ammonia to replace 
 a part of the waste from the farmyard, and 10s. on each 
 ton for credit, — all of which you might have saved, and 
 now you don't know what you have bought." 
 
 "Come, come, Mr. John," said Watkins, "you are 
 hitting me very hard ; but we all know it's very good 
 manure." 
 
 " You may have bought £5 or £6 worth of manure 
 for each £8 you have to pay," said Jack ; " but even then 
 you have bought ' a pig in a poke,' not knowing what 
 you have purchased, nor what is its real value." 
 
 "The plain truth of the matter is, I don't exactly 
 know what I want," said Watkins; "so 'tis no use for 
 me to pretend to it. Do you know what you want on 
 your farm*?" 
 
 " I have made some progress in the work," said Jack, 
 " and I find the weakest points in my land are phosphates 
 and potash. These I shall purchase, and use as I have 
 the opportunity. I have bought phosphates for the 
 root crops, but then I have bought my supply at a fair 
 market price, and I have taken care to secure my manure 
 in such a form as I hope will suit my requirements. As 
 I gain further experience, so I shall be able to correct 
 the errors I make, because I know what I am doing. 
 You cannot gain experience, because you don't know 
 what you are making use of." 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 55 
 
 "There is too much truth in what you say," said 
 Watkins in leaving ; " but where is it to end 1 I saw 
 you were right about my wasting the ammonia from my 
 manure. Well, that I have stopped. Now it appears 
 I am buying manures as I buy nothing else, for as a 
 rule I take care to get what I want, and pay for it what 
 I know it may be worth. I am really like a man who 
 has been blindfolded, for I am working in the dark." 
 
 Few men could have changed more completely towards 
 Jack than his neighbour. Watkins. His first visit had for 
 its object a discovery of the follies of the young farmer's 
 improved practice. He now saw that there was a sound 
 and careful system of farming carried out, backed by an 
 intelligent acquaintance with the things which had to be 
 dealt with. He now came to Jack anxious to get a 
 clearer knowledge of what he was doing, and to learn 
 some fresh lessons of truth. But it may be asked. How 
 was it Jack succeeded in enlightening his neighbour^ 
 Simply because Jack had learnt his business as a farmer 
 with a fair degree of completeness, and also because he 
 knew the principles upon which that practice was based. 
 If he had known^ only the one or the other, his neigh- 
 bour would soon have put him in the wrong position. 
 As it was, he was well armed by his knowledge of prac- 
 tice, and he had entrenched himself within the outworks 
 of science. 
 
 The work of the farm was never delayed by any 
 visits from his friends. Each succeeding day, as it 
 brought fresh duty to the front, found Jack ready for 
 his work, but with a strong disposition to be rather 
 before his time than even exactly punctual. His clover 
 seeds had been selected with care and sown early, but 
 
56 THE ABBOTTS FAEM. 
 
 he had surprised the local seed merchants by his exam- 
 ination of the samples of seed he had received from 
 them. Little did any of them think that his microscope 
 was going to tell so many tales, and they soon saw that 
 it would not do to let adulterated samples be brought 
 under his scrutiny. As he visited the Wrexborough 
 market, it was curious to see samples smuggled from 
 him with the common remark, " That won't do for you, 
 Mr. John;" but it is sad to think that they would be 
 again offered to others, who would be less able to detect 
 the inferiority in quality. 
 
 When the time for purchasing the swede and turnip 
 seed arrived, Jack's experiments on some of the seeds 
 offered for sale in the Wrexborough market caused even 
 greater consternation amongst the dealers, and this was 
 rendered more serious when it was stated that he was 
 going to publish a distinct statement of the results. 
 Some of the dealers knew full well that they had offered 
 adulterated seed, others feared that they might have 
 received their supplies after these mixings had taken 
 place, so that as a matter of fact they scarcely knew 
 how to act towards the tenant of the Abbotts Farm. As 
 soon as Jack heard of the commotion, he informed some 
 of the dealers that he had no such intention, but he 
 advised them to be more careful another season. 
 
 "Ah!" said a veteran in the trade, "they have no 
 business to train young fellows in this way ; they get to 
 know a deal too much for matters to go on pleasantly." 
 
CHAPTEE IX. 
 
 The land which had been so well steam-ploughed in the 
 autumn in preparation for the growth of roots, had been 
 beautifully mellowed by the exposure to the wintry 
 weather. It had become a rich and deep seed-bed, which 
 Jack had no intention of injuring by any further treat- 
 ment, which was required for the preparation of the land 
 for sowing. Some weeds had progressed too luxuriantly 
 to be satisfactory, hence it became necessary to cut them 
 up by the cultivator, and a stirring of the upper soil was 
 all that was further necessary to prepare the land for 
 being sown. The tillage was not delayed by any appli- 
 cation of farmyard manure, this having been otherwise 
 appropriated. The seed selected was very good and true, 
 and only a small portion of the mixed phosphates had 
 been drilled with the seed, the great bulk being sown 
 broadcast immediately after the seed had been sown. 
 In this way the manure was well distributed over the 
 soil, and gently harrowed in. Where mustard seed had 
 to be sown, it was covered by the same harrowing. Jack 
 had seen quite enough of the advantages of both of these 
 proceedings to be perfectly satisfied as to their desirability. 
 The question will naturally arise — What did he do 
 with the farmyard manure he had made 1 This he held 
 in reserve for his young clovers, and as he had convenient 
 
58 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 opportunities he had it drawn out upon the farm, so as 
 to be ready when the barley and oats had been cut. 
 Jack was one of those who had ceased to regard root 
 crops as the sheet anchor of successful farming; he 
 pinned his faith to the clover crop as holding this position. 
 He took the precaution of securing a resting-place for 
 his farmyard manure where he had an impervious founda- 
 tion, through which he knew there would be no soakage. 
 He also adopted Mr. Clement Cadle's plan of mixing 
 some kainit with the manure as it was placed on the heap 
 — about J cwt. for every ton of manure. The manure as 
 it was drawn from the homestead had been already re- 
 duced to a tolerably decomposed mass, with the ammonia 
 very largely reduced into a black and soluble form by 
 its union with the decayed vegetable matter. The kainit 
 he used contained a considerable quantity of potash, and 
 when added to the manure it underwent a decomposition, 
 fixing any volatile ammonia which might be formed, 
 much of it becoming changed into a nitrate of potasL 
 Thus a cheap salt of potash became converted into a very 
 valuable form, and the manure was more than ever secure 
 from loss during any further decomposition which might 
 take place. At the same time he took every necessary 
 precaution for guarding against loss, by the use of earth 
 over and around the heap. 
 
 He had therefore a twofold reason for adopting this 
 mode of using his farmyard manure. He valued the 
 clover crop somewhat more highly than the root crops, 
 and he was also especially jealous of any carting over 
 the seed-bed which had been prepared for his roots, which 
 would, in fact, have been an undoing of work which had 
 already been carried out with much labour and care. 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 59 
 
 . For the success of these crops he rehed upon a thoroughly 
 good cuhivation of the soil, a supply of phosphates for 
 an artificial manure, aided by that disintegration of a 
 very fair quality soil obtained by the action of the 
 atmospheric influences, to which it had been so well 
 exposed. As the season had advanced he had sown his 
 mangel wurzel, turnips, swedes, and parsnips early — some 
 said too early — and they were all making slow and steady 
 growth. His neighbour Watkins felt satisfied that for 
 once his young friend really was in error, for his own 
 later-sown roots were evidently making the greater pro- 
 gress, and, although he could not equal those grown on 
 the Abbotts Farm for regularity, yet he felt satisfied he 
 should beat them for weight. Still "the race is not 
 always to the swift," for in this case, as time rolled on, 
 Watkins's quick-grown roots were stopped long before the 
 proper period, and the race was evidently lost, for mildew 
 had settled thickly upon his swedes, whilst the slower 
 grown roots at the Abbotts continued to make steady 
 progress towards perfection. As soon as Watkins saw 
 that his swedes had the mildew very generally over the 
 crop, he knew by experience he had little to hope for in 
 the contest, unless the same thing had happened at the 
 Abbotts. Great, indeed, was his surprise to see these 
 crops growing in fuller vigour than ever, and without any 
 indication of mildew. 
 
 "How is it, Mr. John," said Watkins, "that your 
 swedes are so very diff'erent from mine 1 Mine have been 
 doing the best all the season, until the last week or two 
 has checked them; but yours are going steadily on." 
 
 "Your question," said Jack, "reminds me of an ex- 
 planation I once heard given in a similar case. If you 
 
60 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 saw a man who was going to drive a long journey start 
 from his house at a hard gallop, you would naturally say 
 his horse will be thoroughly done up before the journey 
 is finished. This is what you have been doing with your 
 swedes. You used a quick manure to save the young 
 plant from the fly, and you have rushed them along all 
 through the season. They can now travel on no longer, 
 and consequently they suffbr from the mildew. I have 
 done just the reverse. I saved my plant from the fly by 
 giving the fly something else to feed upon, and I was 
 therefore able to let it begin life at a steady pace, and so 
 it has continued ever since. My swedes have fully six 
 or eight weeks more time for growing, and you must not 
 forget that this is the time they make hard and solid 
 roots. We have adopted two opposite' systems — you have 
 gone in for a rapid growth, and I have contented myself 
 with a safe and sure growth. You will lose. I shall win. 
 I expect I shall beat you both in the weight per acre, and 
 in the quality of the food produced." 
 
 "I ex[3ect you will," said Watkins, "unless some 
 great change comes over mine ; but if you do beat me, 
 I'd like another season to use exactly the same manure 
 as you do. I begin to see more of what you meant some 
 weeks ago, when we were talking about the manure you 
 were going to use, although I don't quite understand it 
 even now." 
 
 " It will give me great pleasure to explain it more 
 fully," said Jack, "for it is a very simple matter. In 
 bygone years — before I knew anything about manures — 
 they were in the habit of using bones as a manure, and 
 they lasted in the ground a long time, but they were ex- 
 pensive to buy, and the farmer had to wait a long time 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 61 
 
 to get back his money. Then a plan was discovered by 
 which the bone was made to move at a quicker pace, and 
 instead of a farmer waiting for two years before the 
 bones began their work, the bones were made into super- 
 phosphate, and were thus ready to begin their full work 
 at once. This was a great advantage, and it paid back 
 the money so quickly that most persons liked it very 
 much. But Professor Nicholson told me that he knew 
 some farmers who never would use the superphosphate, 
 because it did not do such good work as the softened 
 bones did. After a time it was found that it was sometimes 
 desirable to make the superphosphate do steadier and 
 better work, and I have taken care that the superphos- 
 phate I bought should do safe and good work, rather 
 than, as you have found it, too quick in its action for a 
 time, and then unable to complete in a satisfactory 
 manner what it had begun. I am working on the rule 
 that * sure and steady wins the race,' and the experiments 
 we have tried in this neighbourhood have proved that 
 this plan is the best." 
 
 "I never took any interest in those experiments," 
 said Watkins, " for it seemed to me that there were too 
 many new ideas about the whole affair, and I like to 
 stick to what I know something of." 
 
 "Excuse me," said Jack, "but that is just what you 
 did not do, for you will remember you admitted that you 
 did not know what you had bought in your manure, only 
 it was said to be good. You took the opinion of some 
 one else ; you did not rely upon your own judgment in 
 the matter. It was very much like they said to me as a 
 boy, ' Shut your eyes and open your mouth, and see what 
 I will give you.' In future I am sure you will not be 
 
62 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 blindfolded; you will make up your mind what you 
 want, and you will buy that. If it should not be exactly 
 the best thing, at any rate you will know what you are 
 doing, and you will get new facts year by year." 
 
 The work of the farm was now getting fairly in hand. 
 Jack was feeling himself quite at home with it, and the 
 alterations to the house and gardens were also completed. 
 According to the understanding come to with Mrs. Web- 
 ster, the time had now arrived for her to visit Mr. and 
 Mrs. Holmes with her daughter — the bride elect — and 
 inspect the home which had been prepared for the young 
 folk at the Abbotts. The visit was soon paid, and re- 
 sulted in Mrs. Webster and Janet expressing their com- 
 plete approval of all that had been carried out. It was 
 further arranged that the wedding should take place as 
 soon after the harvest, as Jack could free himself from 
 duty for a short time. 
 
 " I know," said Mrs. Webster to Jack, " that you wish 
 to furnish your house nicely for my daughter's reception, 
 but I also know how important it is that the farm should 
 not be crippled by luxuries in the dwelling. Apart from 
 the settlement which will be made upon her prior to her 
 marriage, she has quite enough to prevent you being at 
 any cost for furnishing, and you need not draw upon 
 your capital for household expenses, at any rate, for the 
 first year after your wedding. You can, therefore, take 
 counsel together, and make your arrangements accord- 
 ingly." 
 
 It is scarcely necessary to say that soon after this 
 visit had ended the Abbotts began to assume the appear- 
 ance of a more comfortable home, although much was 
 necessarily postponed until after the wedding, when 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 63 
 
 Janet would be able to complete the arrangements in 
 accordance with her own taste. 
 
 " Well, mother, and what do you think of my choice f 
 inquired Jack at an early interview, after the ladies had 
 left the Holt. " I hope you like Janet better than you 
 anticipated." 
 
 " I think. Jack, she will make you a good wife," said 
 Mrs. Holmes. " She was as homely with us as if she had 
 been one of our family for years. She knows much about 
 household matters, and, what is more, she is not above 
 learning more. Your father sees that he was wrong in 
 his first opinion, and we are both satisfied that you have 
 made a very prudent engagement." 
 
 " I quite agree with what your mother says," continued 
 Mr. Holmes, "and I see no reason why Janet Webster 
 should not make your home happy, helping you in the 
 duties you have before you. I must confess I was fear- 
 ful you might marry a lady who could not condescend to 
 the duties of her position, but I see I was wrong in those 
 fears." 
 
 "I see no reason," said Jack, "why the wife of a 
 tenant farmer may not discharge the proper duties of that 
 position, and still possess that refinement of mind and 
 that general intelligence which are the distinguishing 
 features of a lady. That false pride which interferes with 
 duty forms no element in the character of a true lady ; 
 but it does very generally exist in those who are of a 
 counterfeit brand." 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 A VARIETY of circumstances had conspired to draw at- 
 tention to the proceedings at the Abbotts Farm, but 
 nothing had contributed so greatly in this direction as 
 the reports which were circulating as to the prospects of 
 the harvest. The yield and the quality of the com were 
 justly praised, and it was a wonder to many how the 
 young farmer had managed to secure such a success. 
 Their curiosity was increased by the fact that Jack had 
 finished harvesting his barley and oats before some of 
 his neighbours had even commenced carrpng any. The 
 magnificent quality of the oats was the subject of general 
 commendation, and many of his neighbours resolved to 
 have some seed -oats from him. The wheat was also 
 exceedingly good in quality, and was so largely produc- 
 tive that it commanded a general preference for seed. 
 His friend Walrond had come down from Scotland, and 
 secured a large portion of the crop for sowing in his dis- 
 trict. Three other dealers in seed -wheat also secured 
 some for their customers. Jack was consequently in the 
 happy position of having to thresh his wheat with all 
 possible speed, to meet the requirements of those who 
 wanted supplies for seed. All things considered, his 
 harvest time was more than usually crowded with duty, 
 but it carried with it the satisfaction of success, and at 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 65 
 
 length he had the pleasure of seeing his harvest safely 
 concluded. 
 
 Time knows no interruption in its progress, and so it 
 was with the work on the farm. Long before the har- 
 vest was finished the labour for another crop had been 
 actively commenced, and the steam -plough was again 
 engaged and employed upon its work, breaking u^) and 
 sub-soiling another fifty acres of land, bringing to the 
 light of day soil which had long been buried from the 
 human eye. In following an easy going cultivator of the 
 soil like Mr. Foster, Jack had the satisfaction of know- 
 ing that if he had brought the farm into poor condition, 
 his operations had been limited to a depth of five or six 
 inches, consequently he had more than an equal depth 
 of soil below which he had never worked, and this he 
 brought into cultivation by means of the steam-plough. 
 Hence he could watch with satisfaction an entirely new 
 soil being brought to the surface, in exchange for that 
 which had been sadly worn out, by a slow and wearisome 
 system of exhaustion. 
 
 Other duties also claimed Jack's attention, for he had 
 been elected in the month of June, to be the first Presi- 
 dent of the Eodney Club at Wrexborough, and it de- 
 volved upon him to deliver the annual address in the 
 presence of their patron — Mr. Woodford — and many in- 
 vited friends. The President had chosen for his subject, 
 "My reasons for using the steam-plough," and some of 
 his remarks, extracted from the IFrexborough Chronicle^ 
 may be repeated here with possible advantage. He 
 said — 
 
 "It is an old saying that 'what is worth doing, is 
 worth doing well,' and it is probable that this is as true 
 
 F 
 
66 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 in its application to the cultivation of the soil, as it is in 
 any case which can be selected. Half-measures are very 
 generally unsatisfactory, but especially in the case of 
 agricultural operations. The cultivation of the soil by 
 spade husbandry, has long been known to yield a largely 
 increased production. There are, of course, many reasons 
 against the general cultivation of the soil by means of 
 spade labour, but the lessons we learn from its success 
 are valuable. As a matter of fact, one great cause of 
 this success is the thoroughly complete character of the 
 work which is accomplished, and thereby more effective 
 cultivation is attainable. Here, then, we have the model 
 from which we may copy, and this result we should en- 
 deavour to attain by those means which are within the 
 command of the farmer. 
 
 " The condition of the soil attainable by spade culture, 
 differs from that usually arising from ordinary tillage 
 operations in two respects — namely, in the depth of the 
 work, and in the more perfect division of the soil. Both 
 of these have important influences upon the productive 
 powers of the land. The increase of depth gives a larger 
 command of feeding space, and consequently gives in- 
 creased opportunities for deriving that nourishment which 
 is essential for growth. The more complete the division 
 of the soil, the more easily will the roots penetrate 
 throughout the land, and thereby the increased supplies 
 of food are more readily made use of by the growing 
 crop. 
 
 " Steam cultivation carries us far towards this very 
 desirable condition, and, when made proper use of in the 
 autumn of the year, it certainly assists in giving the land 
 that thorough cultivation which the spade accomplishes. 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIEXCE. 67 
 
 The deep furrow which is thus broken up leaves little to 
 be desired, provided some arrangement be made for stir- 
 ring the subsoil. The depth and completeness of steam 
 cultivation have greatly contributed to successful growth, 
 even in bad seasons, and although these helps alone are 
 not sufficient to compensate for a want of warmth, and 
 the direct action of the sun in perfecting our crops, still 
 the produce has been materially improved by the 
 thoroughly good mechanical condition of the soil. If we 
 admit that the two advantages named — the greater ex- 
 tent of feeding ground for the crop, and the easier search 
 for plant food — are desirable, we shall not long delay 
 doing the best we can to secure them, by the judicious 
 employment of steam cultivation." 
 
 It is impossible for any fvdler extract to be made of 
 a somewhat complete notice of the many advantages 
 arising from steam cultivation. Enough has, no doubt, 
 been brought before the reader to show the views which 
 were advanced by the President, in support of his own 
 course of procedure. A long and interesting discussion 
 followed, at the close of which the Squire said : — 
 
 " It has been a source of much pleasure to me to see 
 an association commenced in the market town of Wrex- 
 borough, for binding together in the bonds of a fraternal 
 union, those young men who, having here attended the 
 lectures upon the Principles of Agriculture, have suc- 
 ceeded in gaining the Government Scholarships, and by 
 their aid have passed through a regular course of science 
 instruction in Rodney College. The more I see of the 
 working out of the Government system, the more per- 
 suaded I am that it gives us the opportunity of establish- 
 ing Science Classes, in which any one who is so disposed 
 
68 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 may be rendered more competent for an intelligent dis- 
 charge of the duties of life. If he has natural ability 
 and persevering industry, he can raise himself into a 
 position in which he can do better for himself by reason 
 of his superior business attainments, and what is more, 
 he can assist those around him in the prosecution of their 
 engagements. Thus, year by year, we are now sending 
 from the local Science Class of this town, our best 
 student of the Principles of Agriculture. As you know, 
 Thomas Edwards is now about to enter Eodney College 
 under the Government Scholarship, vacated in June last 
 by William Ellis, who then took the Science Certificate 
 of that College. William Ellis has now to give up his 
 time to learn farming for two years, and he will then be 
 able to go up to Rodney College for his final examina- 
 tion in the practice of agriculture, and, we may hope, 
 will become a fully qualified member of the College. 
 Edward Marston, who took the Science Certificate of 
 the College twelve months since, is on his father's farm, 
 and I am glad to know he is doing his duty there in a 
 most commendable manner. I would, however, recom- 
 mend him and also William Ellis, to remember that there 
 is some good farming going on at the Abbotts Farm, 
 under your worthy President's management, which is well 
 worthy of their notice. We can congratulate ourselves 
 upon having with us two who have taken the Member- 
 ship of Rodney College — I refer to your President, and 
 my young friend, Thomas Hughes of the Forest Farm. 
 We have, as I have already stated, two others who have 
 taken Science Certificates of the College, and are now 
 learning farming, and we have also two who have still to 
 prosecute their studies in Rodney College. Thus, in a 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 69 
 
 short period of time, we have done some good work with 
 our selected scholars ; but many who have not secured a 
 Scholarship, have been greatly advantaged by their at- 
 tendance on the local class for the Principles of Agricul- 
 ture. I believe you will all agree with me, that you may 
 be justly proud of your comrades, to whom I look forward 
 with hope as becoming tenants upon my estate as oppor- 
 tunity offers ; and I believe this fraternal association will 
 be a means of encouraging you to aid each other forward 
 with your counsel and sympathy." 
 
 "I hope I am not revealing any secret," continued 
 the Squire, "in saying that your President is shortly 
 going to take to himself a wife, and I trust you will join 
 me in wishing him joy on his marriage, and a long and 
 prosperous tenancy of the Abbotts Farm, both of which 
 he very richly deserves." 
 
 Some few days after this meeting. Jack took his 
 departure for Edinburgh, leaving his farm under the care 
 of his father. The wedding programme was very simply 
 and sensibly arranged. Janet had her sister and cousin 
 as her two bridesmaids, whilst Professor Nicholson acted 
 as Jack's best man. On the day of the wedding Mrs. 
 Webster handed to Jack a kind and congratulatory 
 letter from Charlie Webster, in which he conveyed to 
 them the pleasing news of his determination to return 
 from New Zealand in a few months' time, as he had 
 decided not to settle there. It was a thoroughly happy 
 day, and although Professor Nicholson had accepted an 
 invitation to stay for the few remaining days which pre- 
 ceded the new session of Rodney College, to keep up 
 their spirits after Janet's departure, there really was no 
 necessity for it. The arrangement having been made, it 
 
70 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 was adhered to, and the visit was exceedingly pleasant 
 to all parties. Meanwhile the bride and bridegroom had 
 started on a trip northwards, via Stirling, Aberdeen, 
 Nairn, and Inverness. Being thus far north, Jack went 
 to Lairg — to visit the Duke of Sutherland's reclamations 
 — and on his return to Inverness they descended the 
 Caledonian Canal to Oban, thence onwards through the 
 Crinan Canal and the Kyles of Bute, more and more 
 delighted as they progressed with the beauties of Scot- 
 land. A flying call was made in Edinburgh, and on- 
 wards the happy couple sped their way to Wrexborough. 
 On their arrival at the Abbotts they were welcomed by 
 Mr. and Mrs. Holmes, who had gone there to receive 
 them. It was indeed a haj^py family gathering, good 
 omen, we will hope, of a long continued joy in this 
 their home. 
 
CHAPTEE XL 
 
 The villagers of Leaside were glad to find the Abbotts 
 Farm occupied under circumstances, which from various 
 point of view, promised to be advantageous to them. 
 Situated as the village was about a mile from this farm, 
 nearly all the workmen employed upon it resided there. 
 It was therefore perfectly natural that the arrival of Mr. 
 John Holmes and his bride at the Abbotts, should be a 
 subject of much interest — at any rate of much talk — 
 among the good folk of Leaside. Born as he had been 
 at the Holt Farm, something less than two miles distant, 
 the tenant of the Abbotts Farm had grown up from 
 childhood under the eyes of these villagers, and by them 
 he was known as "Master Jack." They knew of his 
 youthful exploits, and fully understood his special ability 
 in this respect, but they had heard he had taken kindly 
 to learning, with the result of his being talked of as a 
 very clever young fellow who was greatly improving his 
 farm. His predecessor, Mr. Foster, had long lived there 
 as a widower, with his domestic affairs guided by a house- 
 keeper. The arrival of Mrs. John Holmes consequently 
 indicated the commencement of a new era for those 
 connected with that farm. Speculations were numerous 
 as to the lady in question, for, although she had paid a 
 flying visit to the Abbotts Farm some four or five months 
 
72 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 previously, not one of them understood the object of 
 that inspection. Imagination was now rendered unne- 
 cessary, for the bride had arrived, and several of those 
 working upon the farm were quite ready to report at 
 Leaside, what a nice, kind lady she looked. 
 
 The harvest supper had been intentionally postponed, 
 and Mr. Holmes — who was temporarily watching over 
 the farm during his son's absence — had permitted the 
 granary to be cleaned out for the men to decorate it 
 with evergreens. Jack was supplied with very limited 
 information as to the arrangements, whilst his wife 
 simply heard that the harvest supper was to be attended 
 by the wives of the labourers, and it was hoped that 
 she would be present. Great indeed was their surprise 
 to find the labourers and their wives giving a series of 
 cheers, as they were escorted to their seats beneath a 
 canopy of evergreens, very neatly decorated with corn, 
 fruit, and hops. There was a happy and cheerful feeling 
 amongst the entire party, and all appeared to enjoy the 
 festive occasion ; but another surprise was yet in store, 
 for just as the supper was finished, the Squire and Mrs. 
 Woodford entered, and were soon seated by the bride, 
 offering her their congratulations and good wishes, pre- 
 senting her at the same time with the lucky hop-branch. 
 
 The health of the Queen and the Eoyal Family having 
 been drunk, Thomas Murch, the head ploughman, pro- 
 posed the health of the Master. 
 
 "Now boys," said he, "we must drink the Master's 
 health and wish him well. He seems to know how 
 work should be done, and he is very fair and good to 
 us, so we will do our best for him in return, and we will 
 hope he may be happy amongst us all his life." 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 73 
 
 Whether they were in stronger voice than usual, in 
 consequence of their good feeding or from other causes, 
 it is perfectly certain the cheers given for the young 
 Master showed a hearty good-will. The honour was 
 duly acknowledged by Jack, and the Squire then pro- 
 posed the health of the bride, with an expression of his 
 hopes that she would be welcomed amongst them, pro- 
 mising them that if they acted towards her as she 
 deserved, they would find in her a true friend, who 
 would be a real blessing in their midst. Her husband 
 was about to thank them for the enthusiastic reception 
 given to the toast, when he was checked by the bride, 
 who addressed them, saying, 
 
 "I have to thank you, Mr. Woodford, and you my 
 friends, for giving me such a kind and unexpected wel- 
 come. My brother had told me of a very pleasant har- 
 vest-home he had spent at the adjoining farm, The Holt, 
 but I little thought that I should ever meet you under 
 these happy circumstances. Forgive me if I say that in 
 this pleasant re-union of the owner of the land — the 
 tenant, my husband — and you, his willing helpers in its 
 cultivation — I see much to make me look hopefully on 
 the future, for a three-fold bond is not easily broken. 
 But we, their wives, have our duties to attend to, and I 
 think we can do something to help them, so I now ask 
 the wives of all the men employed on this farm to come 
 to the Abbotts next Thursday afternoon, at half-past two 
 o'clock, for I want you all to help me to begin about it 
 at once. I could tell you of places where wives are not 
 valued as they ought to be, but if we make ourselves 
 valuable to our husbands, by securing for them happy 
 homes, I am sure they will be grateful to us. I shall 
 
74 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 expect you to bring your work with you, for you know 
 we can talk and stitch at the same time." 
 
 The health of the Squire and Mrs. Woodford having 
 been given and acknowledged, the health of the work- 
 men and their wives followed. The harvest supper 
 ended pleasantly, and the bonds of friendship and 
 esteem were strengthened by that evening's gathering. 
 
 On the following day Mr. Holmes called early for 
 his son, and they took a walk over the farm, inspecting 
 the work which had been carried out during Jack's 
 absence. It is scarcely necessary to say that under his 
 experienced oversight, all had gone on in a satisfactory 
 manner. 
 
 "You see, Jack," said Mr. Holmes, "we have secured 
 your mangel wurzel much earlier than usual, but as you 
 wished it to be so, it has been done. My ownWpression 
 is that you would have had a greater weight if they had 
 stood for a week or two longer. As it is, we calculate 
 you have fully forty tons per acre of good solid roots, 
 but they were growing so well it seemed a pity to stop 
 them. However, they have not had any frost" 
 
 " I am glad to hear that," said Jack. " To save them 
 from the frost is far better to me than an extra growth 
 of ten tons per acre. Increase of weight is not always an 
 advantage, and I well remember Dr. Thomson, of Rodney 
 College, putting this to me once in a very plain manner. 
 He took up a small-sized mangel, and put to me this 
 question, ' If I could place a tube into this mangel, and 
 so bring a pressure of water into it, which should make- 
 it swell considerably, and if I could thereby make the 
 mangel weigh double as much as it did in the first in- 
 stance, would you consider the larger or the smaller- 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 75 
 
 mangel most valuable as food?' I replied that I should 
 prefer the smaller mangel, as being more useful in itself, 
 and of less cost in the use of a given weight of food. " 
 
 "I should agree with, you there, Jack," said Mr. 
 Holmes, " but I do not see what that has to do with your 
 crop being gathered in before it had finished growing." 
 
 "I simply intended to show you that increase of 
 weight in a crop may only mean an increase of the water 
 in it, without any increase of food," said Jack. " This 
 would certainly decrease the value of the food originally 
 present. But there is another point of even greater im- 
 portance than this, and that arises from an over-growth of 
 the root." 
 
 " We always like to get our mangel as large as we 
 possibly can, and have no fear about over-growth," said 
 Mr. Holmes. " Getting too large a crop is about the last 
 thing I should have any fear about." 
 
 " We fail to detect the losses arising in this way, be- 
 cause we give these mangels to live stock to eat," said 
 Jack. " So long as we grow them for sale it does not 
 affect us materially; but it is a very different matter 
 when they are grown for use by your own stock. What 
 we then want is the greatest produce of the most nutri- 
 tious food. For instance, if one croj) of mangel contains 
 95 per cent of water and another crop only contains 85 
 per cent of water, we should have in one hundred tons of 
 the former five tons of dry food, and in the same weight 
 of the latter we should have fifteen tons of dry food. 
 Our system of cultivation should enable us to secure as 
 much dry food as possible from each acre of land, rather 
 than simply aim at so many tons of roots. Yet this false 
 standard is commonly accepted." 
 
76 THE ABBOTTS FAKM. 
 
 "But," inquired Mr. Holmes, "is it not possible for 
 that five tons of dry food to be really better than the 
 fifteen tons obtained from the other cropf 
 
 " It is possible for such a difi'erence to exist in the 
 quality of the dry matter produced," said Jack, "and I 
 may say it does exist, but, unfortunately for your sugges- 
 tion, the variation in quality is in the opposite direction. 
 The higher quality in the food goes with the increased 
 percentage of dry matter. That is to say, the fifteen 
 tons of dry food ought to have a greater feeding value 
 per ton than the five tons. I say ought to have, for it is 
 quite possible for the root to be overgrown, and the feed- 
 ing power of the dry matter to be injured thereby." 
 
 "Do you mean to say," inquired Mr. Holmes, "that 
 the food once formed in a plant can be changed during 
 its after growth*?" 
 
 " Certainly I do," said Jack, " and it would have been 
 found out long before this, if manufacturers had been 
 using these mangels instead of stock-masters. Unfortu- 
 nately for farmers discovering the truth, they have the 
 intervention of animal life to complicate the results, and 
 in some degree to screen the truth. On the Continent, 
 where the beet is grown for making sugar, they have long 
 known these facts. There they have reduced the water 
 so as to obtain nearly twenty tons of dry matter from 
 one hundred tons of roots, and they get this with two or 
 three times as much actual feeding materials as the dry 
 matter found in large over-grown roots. In fact, they 
 regulate the price paid for the roots they purchase accord- 
 ing to the size ; thus they give the best price for those 
 which do not weigh more than 5 lbs. each. 
 
 "Now you have drawn my attention to this fact," 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. , 77 
 
 said Mr. Holmes, "it reminds me that we adopt a some- 
 what similar rule in our gardens with the beet grown for 
 our table use. If these are forced in their growth they 
 lose the sweet and luscious character we value so much 
 in nicely grown beet." 
 
 " Yes, that is perfectly true," said Jack ; " but it only 
 holds good so far as regards ourselves. We know that 
 if we overgrow the garden beet we soon spoil it for our 
 use, and we therefore make quality the first consideration, 
 getting as much as we can without sacrifice in this respect. 
 They also adopt the same rule when the beet is grown, 
 for sugar, but when we grow a crop for cattle to feed 
 upon, then we do just the reverse — quality is the last con- 
 sideration, and a heavy crop is all that is thought of. 
 They are perfectly indifferent to the fact that the increase 
 of produce, represents roots so thoroughly surcharged 
 with water as to be dropsical, and that the little solid 
 matter they contain has lost much of the feeding powers 
 it once possessed." 
 
 " We must postpone saying any more on this matter," 
 said Mr. Holmes, " but I have no doubt you are right. 
 How is it this is so generally overlooked V 
 
 "Simply because farmers have not had the opportun- 
 ity of looking behind the scenes," said Jack; "but as 
 they become better able to do so, you may depend upon it 
 they will alter their course of procedure." 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Six of the men working upon the farm were married, so 
 their wives all came to the Abbotts at the appointed time, 
 and were very kindly received by Mrs. John Holmes. 
 They were accompanied by an old woman — Annie Murch 
 — the mother of the head ploughman, and when she 
 entered she said, 
 
 "I ask your pardon, ma'am, for coming with the 
 other women, but my son thought you wouldn't mind it, 
 and I want to hear what you've got to say, as much as 
 any of them." 
 
 It needed no further explanation, and she soon found 
 she was welcomed amongst them. The little gathering 
 took place in a room which Jack had arranged for the 
 use of his wife and himself, and which he had named 
 "the inquiry room." Here he had carried out his in- 
 vestigations during the long evenings of the previous 
 winter, and the walls were decorated with some plans 
 and drawings which were so many mysteries to these 
 good women. In other respects the room had much of 
 the appearance of a nice, clean kitchen, for it was warmed 
 by an American cooking stove, and only had some plain 
 deal tables, and a few equally plain chairs. 
 
 "As it is such a cold day," said Mrs. John Holmes — 
 of whom we shall hereafter speak under the more familiar 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 79 
 
 name of Janet — "I thought you would like some soup 
 and something to eat, so, before we do anything else I 
 will try to make you warm and comfortable. I have 
 made this soup myself, and I hope you will enjoy it." 
 
 "Ah!" said Jane King, the shepherd's wife, "this 
 is good indeed, but it's not the like of we, as can afford 
 such good, warm food as .this, and it's very good of you, 
 ma'am, I am sure, to have done it for us." 
 
 "It is some of the same as my husband and I had 
 with our dinner," said Janet, "and I know it is good; 
 but you must not think it is expensive, because it is 
 good." 
 
 "Why, bless 'ee, ma'am," said the old woman, "my 
 son and Mary be both very good to keep me with 'em 
 now I am so old, and I am mighty fearful they stint 
 themselves to spare a little for me ; but this soup seems 
 to go right to my heart, and I feel it all over me. It is 
 good indeed." 
 
 " I am very glad you enjoy it," said Janet, " and now, 
 if you like, we will get some work to go on with whilst 
 we are all talking with each other." 
 
 The work produced was so peculiar and variable in 
 character, that many a smile passed over Janet's face as 
 she was settling them in for doing it. At length the 
 difficulties were all surmounted, and the women were 
 more or less actively engaged. 
 
 " You seem to be accustomed to this sort of thing, 
 ma'am, I fancy," said Lavinia Smith; "it seems to come 
 quite nat'ral to 'ee." 
 
 "I have had some experience," said Janet, "for my 
 mother has for many years past had gatherings of 
 married women and girls to work with her, and I have 
 
80 THE ABBOTTS FAKM. 
 
 helped her at many of these meetings. When we were 
 settled in for work, we used to talk of something useful 
 and interesting. She never allowed anything to be said 
 about any one who was not present, and thus we had 
 very little of the gossip of the neighbourhood. The 
 married women came to meet her on one day, and the 
 girls on another, as they could then talk about the 
 matters each had a preference for. And now let me 
 inquire how you are getting on in your homes, and 
 whether I can be helpful to you in any way. You need 
 not be afraid of telling me plainly about it." 
 
 After a little pause, Elizabeth Leach said : — 
 
 *' We don't get much wage to spend, ma'am, and if 
 you could get the master to give a little advance in the 
 wages, that would be very good of you, and 't would 
 help us." 
 
 "No," said Janet, "that I cannot do. I shall never 
 interfere with my husband's arrangements. He knows 
 best what he ought to pay, and he is too good to be 
 unfair to any one." 
 
 "Well, ma'am," said Mary Murch, "we be badly 
 off for some milk, and we have none down in Leaside. 
 It would be good for the children, and for us too, so 
 maybe something in this way can be done." 
 
 "How could it be best arranged?" inquired Janet 
 " could your husband buy a cow, if it could be kept on 
 the farm ? I may tell you at once I have always been 
 led to consider that it is no kindness to dole out charity 
 to our workmen, and, in fact, I believe it to be entirely 
 wrong. They do a fair day's work, and they are entitled 
 to a fair wage. They need not be ashamed to look the 
 master in the face when they receive well-earned money, 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 81 
 
 but if a man feels he is receiving pay for time he has 
 wasted, it is quite right for him to have some feeling of 
 shame in taking payment for work he has not done. I 
 believe that petty, paltry gifts pauperise the mind, and 
 I want to see you all honest and self-reliant ; then you 
 will respect yourselves and those around you. If I am 
 to be your friend, I will only do it in such a way as shall 
 make you have respect for yourselves. Now, Mary 
 Murch, how about buying a cowl" 
 
 "Bless you, ma'am," said she, "the like of we be 
 thankful if we can live, but we can't save anything ; 'tis 
 enough sometimes to keep body and soul together, so 
 please don't be offended if I say even a little gift is good 
 to us. I thought, perhaps, you might have given us some 
 milk if we sent for it." 
 
 "I tell you candidly," said Janet, "this giving away 
 of milk does not appear to me to be a good plan. Is 
 there any other way in which I can help youf 
 
 "Well, ma'am, if I may be so bold," said Ann 
 Oliver, " would you tell us how to make some of that 
 soup 1 Maybe that's too dear for us poor folk V 
 
 "If you will come and see me next Thursday," said 
 Janet, " I will show you how to make it, and tell you 
 about the milk." 
 
 After some further conversation, a cup of tea, and 
 a piece of plain cake, the women returned to Leaside, 
 pleased with their visit, but with various opinions about 
 Janet refusing to give them milk; still they were all 
 agreed to tell their husbands to hold up their heads like 
 honest men when they received their wages from the 
 master. 
 
 During the time Janet was thus occupied at home, 
 G 
 
82 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 ber husband was at Wrexborougb market Numerous 
 were the congratulations he received, and especially from 
 bis friend Dr. Wbichcord, who arranged to make an 
 early call at the Abbotts. Early in the evening the 
 young couple walked over to the Holt to see Mr. and 
 Mrs. Holmes, where they unexpectedly met Mr. and 
 Mrs. Forbes. The fact was, Mrs. Forbes had driven 
 over with her husband, to hear something of the bride 
 and bridegroom, little thinking they would meet them ; 
 it was therefore an agreeable surprise, and the usual 
 compliments were exchanged. 
 
 "I have brought over one or two of our mangels," 
 said Mr. Forbes, " to show you we are able to do some 
 things as well as our neighbours. So we will have them 
 brought in for the ladies to see them." 
 
 "Are you going to begin a boat -building yard at 
 your place f inquired Jack. 
 
 "Whatever do you mean, Jackf said Mr. Forbes. 
 
 " I mean," said Jack, " that this mangel has a good 
 deal more timber about it than it ought to have, if you 
 want it for food ; but if you are growing it for producing 
 wood, then you are succeeding very well." 
 
 "I don't understand you yet," continued Mr. Forbes. 
 
 "I have no doubt you will know what I mean," said 
 Jack, " if I tell you that this mangel has timber enough 
 to float a good load." 
 
 "Yes, I understand that," said Mr. Forbes; "but 
 you must excuse me if I say I really think you are 
 mistaken." 
 
 " Then we will just try it, if you do not object," said 
 Jack. 
 
 The mangel in question was forthwith carried into 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 83 
 
 the yard, and placed in the large horse-trough. To the 
 surprise of all it floated like a cork. Jack then proposed 
 that Mr. Forbes should sit upon it, but as this proposal 
 did not meet his cordial approval, he consented to press 
 upon the mangel with both hands, whereupon he w^as 
 going away in a somewhat surprised condition of mind. 
 
 "Stop, stop," said Jack, "we have some mangels here 
 of my father's growth, and they are not as good as they 
 should be, but we will try one or two of them." 
 
 These proved to be very good divers, for they went 
 out of sight as they glided into the water. The party 
 returned to the house, and were soon comfortably seated 
 around the fire, when Mr. Forbes said, 
 
 " Now, then. Master Jack, just explain all about this 
 growth of wood ; we all know your father learnt one good 
 lesson from the great willow tree outside here, and may- 
 be I may learn another from this timber joke." 
 
 "It is really a very simple matter, and easily ex- 
 plained," said Jack. " The sap which flows through that 
 willow tree consists chiefly of water, but it becomes 
 sweetened by the presence of sugar produced in a great 
 measure from starch. As the growth proceeds, the 
 starch and sugar are turned into woody fibre, and this is 
 gradually strengthened into timber by other matters 
 present in the sap. At one period your mangel contained 
 much sugar and starch, but you have so encouraged its 
 growth that much of the starch and sugar have been 
 formed into woody fibre. This is the change I referred 
 to, in saying, ' You had too much timber about them if 
 you wanted them for food ; but if you were growing 
 them for wood, you were succeeding very well.' Now, I 
 need not tell you, that by this overgrowth you turn 
 
84 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 very useful food into a condition of greatly reduced feed- 
 ing value. I won't go so far as to say that this woody 
 fibre has no feeding value, because it is possible to get 
 animals with such tremendous powers of digestion that 
 they can draw nourishment from equally poor food, but 
 I am quite safe in sajdng, that if you had grown the 
 mangels more slowly, if the growth had been distributed 
 between five or six roots instead of being in one large 
 root, and if you had gathered them from the field a 
 month ago, you would have had food four, five, or it 
 may be, six times as good as you now have." 
 
 "I tell you what it is. Jack," said Mr. Forbes, "I see 
 very clearly we have a lot to learn before we shall make 
 the best use of our crops, or grow them in their best feed- 
 ing condition. Anyhow, I shall not forget your joke 
 about my going into the timber trade, and I thank you 
 for the hint." 
 
CHAPTEE XIII. 
 
 Whilst the gentlemen were specially occupied about the 
 quality of the mangel Mr. Forbes had brought for 
 inspection, the ladies were not less actively engaged upon 
 another subject. Janet had taken the opportunity of 
 learning their views respecting the supply of milk to farm 
 labourers, and had been somewhat surprised to hear 
 from Mrs. Forbes, that she used to give away some of 
 the skim milk, until it became almost too much trouble 
 for them to fetch it, and at last they asked for beer for 
 taking the milk away. 
 
 " I am most anxious to get information on this subject, 
 for I have always been led to believe," said Janet, "that 
 such gifts simply pauperise the minds of these people, 
 and it thus becomes a very easy step for them to ask for 
 relief in bread and money from the guardians of the 
 poor. Do you not think, Mr. Holmes, we ought to raise 
 them above this low condition of mind ? Are we not too 
 often preparing farm labourers for becoming paupers'?" 
 
 "I am afraid that you are right," said Mr. Holmes, 
 "for I well remember the time when it really caused 
 labourers much pain of mind, if they were obliged to 
 receive parish relief. Now, it is accepted as a natural 
 right, without their feelings being hurt. They are 
 certainly not as sensitive as they used to be." 
 
86 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 "But how is it to be corrected?" inquired Janet. 
 " It is so very sad to think that we are steadily prepar- 
 ing our farm labourers for becoming paupers, making 
 their latter days wretched if they have any sensitiveness 
 of feeling, or bringing them down to a mere animal 
 existence, when those feelings are rendered callous by 
 the hot iron of long-continued poverty." 
 
 " I readily confess that there I am beaten," said Mr.. 
 Holmes. " It is a very difficult matter to deal with, and 
 the more you see of it, the more you will find my words 
 to be true." 
 
 "You appear to have thought about this matter, 
 Mrs. John," said Mr. Forbes, " or I don't see how you 
 could have got on so far as you have. Labourers are 
 nothing- like the men they used to be, and I am sure 
 they are getting worse and worse. If you can mend 
 these matters, I can only say you will be more clever 
 than atny woman I know, or man either, for the matter 
 of that." 
 
 "I have seen much of poverty and suffering," said 
 Janet ; " but after all, there are some good points of cha- 
 racter to be found in the most frail and fallen, and there 
 are so many opportunities, which, if they are rightly 
 used, enable us to raise them to a higher and nobler 
 condition of life. In some of the work amongst the 
 poor, in which I helped my mother in Edinburgh, we 
 were often encouraged by redeeming features, noble and 
 good, even amongst the poorest, in their fallen condition. 
 The lessons I have learnt recur to my mind with tenfold 
 force, now I have so much around me to make me 
 joyous and happy. My husband has promised to help 
 me, and I shall expect you all to help as well, so that 
 
. PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 87 
 
 we may all have the satisfaction of knowing we have 
 done what we could. Now Jack, we must bid our 
 friends good-bye and hasten homewards." 
 
 As soon as the young couple had left, Mr. Forbes, 
 addressing Mr. Holmes said, 
 
 " It is almost as good as going to an optician to meet 
 these young folks, for they certainly increase the power 
 of our spectacles and make us see things more clearly. 
 Jack's wife has a sound head-piece and a woman's heart, 
 and as for Jack, he is a 'cute boy — no mistake about that. 
 I don't know when I have been more surprised than I 
 was with that mangel. It is certainly very queer, but 
 bow he knows all these little dodges surprises me. Did 
 you ever see mangel tried like that before ?" 
 
 "It was quite new to me," said Mr. Holmes. "He 
 has had all the mangel at the Abbotts taken up and 
 stored fully a week back. I rather wish mine were up 
 as well, for I see we have a sharp frost to-night. We 
 shall begin to-morrow in any case, but his were all secure 
 before any frost came on. I must say I think the 
 chances are in his favour, although I naturally like to 
 get as heavy a crop as possible. Jack does not agree 
 with me in this, and I think his reasons in favour of 
 small roots have a good deal of force." 
 
 " But this is contrary to all the opinions I have heard," 
 said Mr. Forbes. "According to that notion, the smaller 
 and worse a crop may be, the better Jack would like it." 
 
 "No, no; he does not say that," explained Mr. 
 Holmes. "If I understand him rightly, he does not 
 object to a large weight per acre, but he wants that 
 weight made up by a large number of small roots, 
 instead of a small number of over-grown roots. He 
 
88 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 would rather have his mangels of the size of a good 
 swede, instead of what he calls roots suffering from 
 dropsy." 
 
 "Well, well, they are turning things upside down 
 terribly," said Mr. Forbes. "I don't know where it will 
 end." 
 
 "So long as any things are remaining with their 
 wrong side up, it will be better for them to go on putting 
 them right," said Mr. Holmes: "but when once they 
 have been got into order, I suppose they will stop turn- 
 ing things upside down. This must be done, and what is 
 more, we must help in the work. We as farmers, have 
 been working very much in the dark, and a good many 
 — who knew nothing of farming — were advising us to 
 do this and to do that, but after all we have done better 
 than could have been expected. These young chaps 
 come along with their bull's-eye lanterns, and, of course, 
 they have a better chance than we had of seeing where 
 things are out of order. So far as I am concerned, I 
 wish them every success, and the sooner things are got 
 into good working order the better for all of us. The 
 fact is, we must make up our minds to work in the dark 
 no longer." 
 
 After a few days the Squire and Mrs. Woodford called 
 at the Abbotts to see the tenant and his bride. After a 
 short conversation the Squire and Jack went out, leaving 
 the ladies to have a somewhat confidential exchange of 
 views. 
 
 " I was so very much pleased to hear the remarks you 
 made at the harvest supper," said Mrs. Woodford. " I 
 have long felt how very desirable it would be for some- 
 thing to be done for the poor. It looks unkind not to 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 89 
 
 relieve their distress, but I fear it does very little good, 
 even if it does not result in positive disadvantages. It 
 is so good of you to take the wives of the men in hand, 
 for this is the right way to benefit the men. See what 
 useless beings many of them are ; they know little or 
 nothing that promotes the comfort of the home, and con- 
 sequently they almost force their husbands into public- 
 houses. How did your meeting go off f 
 
 "Moderately well, I think," said Janet. "I was 
 sorry not to yield to their wishes to have milk given to 
 them, for I know they want it badly, and it seems cruel 
 to order it to be given to the pigs in the yard, instead of 
 these poor creatures. I still believe that my decision is 
 right, for if I had yielded to their wishes, I should have 
 only encouraged a disposition to pauperism." 
 
 "I am so glad to find you hold this view," interposed 
 Mrs. Woodford. " I have now greater hope than ever of 
 your gaining some success. I do not see how you are to 
 surmount the difficulty, but I am most anxious for you to 
 succeed, and any help we can render at the castle will be 
 very cheerfully given." 
 
 " Thank you very much, Mrs. Woodford," said Janet ; 
 "but whilst I shall no doubt need your help, I hope you 
 will allow me to accept it for the poor upon the true 
 commercial basis of payment for value received, and not 
 as an act of charity. My mother has impressed it on 
 my mind that I must begin my work by making them 
 have more respect for themselves than they now possess. 
 Some say they are too independent already, and such 
 persons would probably condemn this policy ; but so long 
 as they plead for the food and nourishment they need, 
 and feel no hesitation in receiving Union relief, there is 
 
90 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 no evidence of an independent spirit; we may rather 
 detect the fitful outbursts of discontent and despera- 
 tion" 
 
 Janet then proceeded to indicate to Mrs. Woodford, 
 the general scheme for aiding the poor she hoped to carry 
 into effect. 
 
 " Do excuse my saying I am glad to see in you such a 
 worthy personification of your father's noble character," 
 said Mrs. AVoodford, " and that you and your brother are 
 likely to follow him in deeds of good-will and self-sacrifice. 
 The work you have undertaken will give many oppor- 
 tunities for the exercise of good judgment, and for a 
 devotion to duty ; but you may always rely upon my help, 
 and — if you insist upon it — let it be, as you say, on a true 
 commercial basis. I shall, however, still hope to be like 
 yourself, an unpaid helper in the work. Accept my every 
 good wish for your happiness in your new home, which I 
 hope you will find pleasant and comfortable." 
 
 Scarcely had the Squire and Mrs. Woodford left, 
 when Dr. Whichcord made his promised call. The flow 
 of thought having scarcely taken a turn, the conversation 
 naturally drifted to the subject of the pauper spirit so 
 common amongst the poorer^ class. Janet explained to 
 the doctor, what had been passing in the conversations 
 she had had with various persons. 
 
 "There is, in my opinion," said he, "no more fertile 
 cause of misery than the injudicious treatment of the 
 poor. I see much of it in the discharge of my profes- 
 sional duties, and I agree with you that it is a miserable 
 discontent and desperation, which is mistaken for inde- 
 pendence. I look upon the guardians of the poor as 
 being rather the guardians of the ratepayers, and although 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 91 
 
 they have to discharge unthankful and difficult duties — 
 for which they are entitled to our sincere thanks — they 
 are the administrators of a system which even they must 
 feel is deplorably unsatisfactory. I think you intend 
 working in the right direction, in helping the poor to help 
 themselves, rather than in simply relieving their distress 
 by charitable gifts. It will be a work involving courage 
 and perseverance. You will be considered hard and cruel 
 to refuse milk to those who really need it, and order it 
 to be given to the pigs. If you stopped at this point, I 
 am bound to say, I should consider it cruel treatment, 
 but as I understand you mean to do something else, I 
 commend you. Many of our surgical operations appear 
 harsh and cruel, but we carry them out in duty to our 
 patients, and your proceedings will be somewhat similar. 
 The ultimate advantage to the sufferer must be kept dis- 
 tinctly in view, instead of letting him sink into deeper 
 misery by feeding the disease. Really I must apologise 
 for a lengthy speech, but I earnestly desire to encourage 
 you in your noble work. And now let me say that I hope 
 you like the Abbotts." 
 
 " I think I shall find it very comfortable," said Janet, 
 " but to be candid with you, doctor, I have not had any 
 spare time to look about for any defects in the place, having 
 fully satisfied my mind that those matters which are im- 
 portant for our health and happiness have been secured. 
 You will see, doctor, that I am no friend to your pro- 
 fession, for I shall do all I can to prevent illness arising 
 in the house, and as far as possible your professional 
 visits will be rendered few and far between, but as a 
 valued friend of my husband's you will always be wel- 
 comed at the Abbotts." 
 
92 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 "It is early days as yet," said the doctor, " but I so 
 far support your views, as to wish you and your husband 
 long life, good health, and much happiness in your new 
 home, and I thank you very sincerely for your conditional 
 welcome." 
 
CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 The appointed day soon came round for the wives of the 
 farm labourers to gather at the Abbotts, and Janet faith- 
 fully fulfilled her promise, that they should all know 
 how to make good soup at a small cost. She also ex- 
 plained to them how greatly they would increase their 
 comforts at home by a proper cooking of food, and by 
 the better use of garden produce. Encouraged as she 
 was by their attention and interest in the work, she pro- 
 mised at some future time to show them how to prepare 
 other good and cheap meals for their families. This 
 being done, Janet went on to say, 
 
 "I now want to talk with you about the milk. 
 When you were here before, Mary Murch wished me to 
 give you some milk, but we do not think this a good 
 way of helping you. I have just seen Thomas Murch 
 and Charles King, and I have arranged with them that 
 a cow shall be bought and kept for each of them, and 
 they are to have the entire produce of the cows, they 
 allowing five shillings a week each out of their wages. 
 Both of them tell me they have no accommodation in 
 their cottages for making good use of their milk, and 
 that their wives do not understand the work of the dairy. 
 We will get over the first difficulty as quickly as we can, 
 and Mary Murch and Jane King may come up here and 
 
94 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 learn all about the dairy work As there must be some 
 delay in this being done, I will send milk from this dairy 
 in a few days, and, as the sale will be light work, I dare 
 say Annie Murch will attend to it for me. I have 
 ordered two cans to be made with taps, and fitted upon 
 light wheels. I shall send one down to Leaside each 
 day, and the boy will bring back the other tin, with any 
 milk which is unsold, as well as the money for that 
 which is sold. We shall have no charity gifts about the 
 arrangement, it is a purely business matter, for I hope to 
 show you, in whatever I do for you, that you are under 
 no obligation to me, because you will always pay me for 
 what I do, and you shall be paid for what you do." 
 
 Without any exception, gratitude was expressed for 
 the kindness shown by Janet, and the more she disclaimed 
 all acceptance of their thanks, the more thanks were 
 offered. Before they parted that day, Janet arranged 
 for them to come to the Abbotts on the first Thursday 
 afternoon of each of the winter months. The women 
 returned to their homes with happy hearty, and need we 
 say that Janet was as happy as any of them 'i 
 
 When Jack returned from Wrexborough market 
 another consultation took place, and this resulted in a 
 meeting of the Squire and Mr. Thompson with Jack, and 
 arrangements were made for three pairs of cottages to be 
 built on the farm (just as Jack wanted them), each to have 
 one acre of adjoining ground for garden purposes. There 
 was necessarily some conversation as to the payment of 
 the interest for the outlay, during which Jack represented 
 to Mr. Thompson that there were three parties who 
 should bear their respective shares. 
 
 "The Squire," said Jack, "has a distinct interest in 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 95 
 
 the wellbeing of the estate and those engaged upon it, 
 and I put him down for one share. I, as the tenant, 
 shall derive advantage from having labourers on the 
 land, and by making them so far happy in their lot that 
 they will value their situations, and I therefore put my- 
 self down for another share. The labourer must have 
 house accommodation, to enable him to earn his wages, 
 and I also put him down for a share. Taking the cost 
 of each pair of cottages at £300 and allowing six per 
 cent for the outlay, I deduct the Squire's one -third 
 share, so that I have really to pay him only four per 
 cent, or £12 a year. I shlall charge myself with half 
 this amount for my share, and the labourers will pay me 
 £6 a year for two cottages, or £3 each, to which £2 'will 
 be added for an acre of land, making the full cost £5 a 
 year, or two shillings weekly. This, I think, is fair to 
 all ; I am sure I shall not lose by the arrangement, and 
 I am equally sure the labourer will have a cheap and 
 comfortable home." 
 
 "I may say for myself," said the Squire, "I shall be 
 content to bear my share, as it still secures me 4 per 
 cent ; and I may go farther and say that if by means of a 
 Government grant money could be obtained by other 
 landlords for prudently building a large number of good 
 cottages, a great blessing would be conferred upon the 
 labourers, without any personal expense to themselves. 
 So far as I gather from you, Mr. John — or rather, to be 
 candid, so far as my wife gathered from your wife — a 
 comfortable home and a good garden must be the founda- 
 tion on which to rest any system, for breaking down that 
 spirit of pauperism, we are now so industriously culti- 
 vating." 
 
96 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 Immediate arrangements were made for two cottages 
 being built, and the gardens Avere forthwith enclosed. 
 Jack explained to Thomas Murch and Charles King 
 about the cottages, showing them the gardens, and said, 
 
 " These houses will be ready in June next ; would 
 you like to become my tenants'?" 
 
 "I am 'fraid I can't stand the rent," said Murch. 
 *' I'd like to get on the farm, and have a garden, greatly. 
 How much will the rent be, sirf 
 
 " Two shillings a week for each cottage," said Jack. 
 
 "And how much for the garden ground?" inquired 
 King. 
 
 " Nothing more," said Jack. " The cottage and 
 garden will be two shillings a week, the rent to be paid 
 weekly. You shall have an agreement subject to a 
 month's notice, with fair compensation for any growing 
 crops or for labour done, when you are leaving." 
 
 "I'll take one with all my heart," said King. 
 "Why, sir, if you believe me, I am paying more than 
 that now, for a place bad enough to kill anybody, and as 
 to comfort, we don't know anything of it at home. It'll 
 be like going to a palace. Ay, and won't the children 
 do well with some good garden stuff, and — bless the 
 young missus — some good milk, too. What do you say, 
 Thomas Murch f 
 
 " I can scarce believe that my ears beant playing me 
 false," said Murch. "I'll be right glad to take one, if 
 't be true, and I thank you, master, for the chance." 
 
 "I am very glad," said Jack; "you will both come 
 up here, for it will be more convenient for me in many 
 ways, and because I shall be a gainer by your doing so, I 
 can afford to let you have the cottages cheap. I only 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 97 
 
 let them to you at a cheap rent because I want you both 
 near to your work, and I hope you also are satisfied." 
 
 "I tell 'ee, Master," said Murch, "it'll do us a lot of 
 good, and it's very good of you." 
 
 "No, there is nothing good about it," said Jack. 
 "The happier and better men you are, the better you 
 will serve me, and the more you will value the comforts 
 of your situation, I tell you plainly, I have done this 
 for my own sake, to make you more valuable helpers on 
 the faruL Your rent will commence when you enter the 
 house, but you can break up the land as soon as you like." 
 
 Whilst this was going on upon the farm, Janet had 
 gone to Leaside to see Anne Murch, and arrange about 
 the sale of the milk in the village. The poor old woman 
 was delighted to think she could now earn something 
 for her son, and not be obliged to have any more bread 
 from the relieving officer. 
 
 "Bless you, ma'am," she said to Janet as she was 
 leaving, " I shall be right happy now, for I have long 
 eaten my bread in sorrow ; but I have strength enough 
 for this work, and I shall get stronger now." 
 
 During the afternoon of the same day Mr. and Mrs. 
 Watkins called with their two daughters. These young 
 ladies had not forgiven Jack for some inquiries he had 
 once made, which they felt had led them into an acknow- 
 ledgment of their ignorance of domestic duties, and they 
 had secretly agreed to put as nearly as possible the same 
 questions to his wife. As soon, therefore, as Mr. and 
 Mrs. Watkins had passed the usual compliments, both 
 they and Jack were astounded to see the plot developed. 
 
 "Well, Mrs. John," said Annie Watkins, "and how 
 is the dairy going on f 
 
 H 
 
98 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 "Very nicely, indeed," said Janet. "I have been 
 more successful than I had any right to expect, for I do 
 not understand its management as I hope to do, but still 
 I am quite proud of my butter. We will have some 
 brought in, and very likely you will tell me if I am not 
 doing it right." 
 
 Some of the butter was quickly brought into the 
 room, and handed to Annie Watkins with a butter- 
 taster. 
 
 " Oh, I could not think of tasting it," said she. 
 
 "I am indeed surprised you do not think it good," 
 said Janet. " Whatever is wrong with it f 
 
 Mrs. Watkins, however, came to the rescue, and 
 having tasted it, said, 
 
 "I wouldn't wish better butter, Mrs. John. I call 
 it very good indeed. Annie is making a sad mistake. 
 Did you make this butter yourself?" 
 
 " Oh yes, I made it," said Janet, "and I hope to con- 
 tinue doing so until I have satisfied myself that I quite 
 understand how it should be done, and then I can direct 
 others, or if need should arise, I can do it myself." 
 
 " But do you think butter-making a lady-like occupa- 
 tion?" inquired Clara Watkins. "I thijik it such very 
 menial work." 
 
 " These are somewhat hackneyed phrases," said Janet; 
 " but let me first understand what you mean by a lady- 
 like occupation." 
 
 "Having little or nothing to do, and that sort of 
 thing," said Clara Watkins. 
 
 " Well then, butter-making is certainly not ' that sort 
 of thing,'" said Janet. " What I understand by a lady- 
 like occupation is the discharge of any duty which falls 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 99 
 
 upon a lady, under the guidance of a mind distinguished 
 by purity, devotion to duty, and intelligence. A lady's 
 proceedings should be pre-eminently characterised by all 
 that is high and noble, with a delicate refinement which 
 makes her exceedingly considerate for the feelings of 
 others, but full of courage and patient endurance. In- 
 fluenced by such feelings as these, she may undertake 
 work from which even servants would turn away with 
 disgust, and still it might be an occupation worthy of 
 her. I have seen ladies attending the sick and wounded 
 in hospital, doing work which many would consider 
 thoroughly menial ; but in their hands that work became 
 most noble. But a neglect of duty is certainly unworthy 
 of any lady." 
 
 "On that principle a married woman may really 
 become the slave of a selfish husband, and be imposed 
 upon more than a miserable lady-help," said Annie 
 Watkins. 
 
 "Admitting, as I readily do," said Janet, "that one 
 of the meanest creatures in creation is a thoroughly sel- 
 fish man, who takes unfair advantage of a wife's devotion, 
 I think you will agree with me that one of the most 
 foolish of all simpletons, 'is that woman who prides her- 
 self upon her incompetency for her duties in life." 
 
 "I congratulate you, Mr. John," said Watkins, "that 
 your wife takes such a sensible view of domestic aff'airs. 
 I wish such ideas were more general." 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Not many days after the arrangement had been made 
 with Murch and King, respecting the cottages and gardens, 
 they both came to Jack teUing him that they had more 
 land than they could manage, whilst some of the other 
 men would be glad to have some of it. After a little 
 consultation on the subject, it was arranged that each 
 should retain only one-quarter of an acre for the first 
 year, and increase the garden ground by an equal quantity 
 each succeeding year. In this way they thought they 
 would be fully prepared for the gradual increase of the 
 ground, and Jack let the allotments of land to other 
 labourers, under proper rules and regulations. 
 
 On the farm Jack took good care to do his best to 
 keep things going right. His mangels were all safely 
 stored in heaps of moderate size, and well ventilated. 
 The sheep had finished the turnips, and were steadily 
 attacking as good and firm a crop of swedes as any one 
 need desire. He had secured a nice flock of ewes, and 
 in Charles King he had a good and trusty shepherd, ^so 
 that all was going on satisfactorily with them. George 
 Moore — his father's shepherd — chanced to come over one 
 day when Jack was walking through the sheep. 
 
 "I wish you a merry Christmas, Master Jack," said 
 he, " and I am glad to see the sheep looking so well 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 101 
 
 These bean't sheep from the Show, so you've altered your 
 taste a bit, I see ; but they do look well, and they be 
 quite good enough in condition." 
 
 "You see, George," said Jack, "I have never for- 
 gotten the lesson I learnt about wishing to have those ewes 
 from the Exhibition. I hope I have grown wiser since 
 then, and you know I learnt many things from you about 
 sheep after that time, and I have profited by doing so." 
 
 "Well, our ewes look kindly," said George, "but 
 yours are quite as good, maybe a trifle better. But, 
 goodness me, what swedes you have got ! I heard the 
 master say we had the same manure as you, and yet you 
 beat us, I do believe." 
 
 "I will tell you why, George," said Jack. " I think 
 the seed I used was rather better than my father sowed, 
 and (pushing his stick down into the soil) you see I have 
 worked the land much deeper than my father has done 
 his at the Holt. My land even now is drier than yours, 
 although it was always considered stifFer ground. 
 
 " You can't get over the ground very fast, Charles ; I 
 do know that," said George. "I'd be bound you ne'er 
 seed such swedes afore ; but, for the matter of that, I 
 ne'er did, and yet Master Jack and I've watched the 
 swedes pretty well for some years now." 
 
 " You see, George, the master won't let me go faster 
 than the sheep can fairly eat 'em," said Charles King, 
 " and what with some real good hay and such swedes, 
 they can't possibly get over much ground. We be all 
 right for doing the sheep well this winter. You see the 
 frost don't hurt them swedes, as it do in general Our 
 neighbour Watkins' are going terribly fast already ; he'll 
 be in an awful mess soon, from all I hear." 
 
102 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 "Well, George, you must walk back with me," said 
 Jack, " for you have not seen my wife." 
 
 So away they walked to the house, and found Janet 
 quite ready to receive them. 
 
 "This is George Moore, of whom you have often 
 heard me speak," said Jack. " George and I have worked 
 together many a day with my father's sheep, and I have 
 learnt many a lesson from himu" 
 
 "I am very glad to know you, George," said Janet, 
 " for my husband and my brother often named you to 
 me, speaking greatly in your favour, when I little thought 
 of ever seeing you." 
 
 "It's mighty good of you and them," said George. 
 " I wish you and Master Jack long and happy life at the 
 Abbotts. I only wish I could see my Bill under the 
 young master here, so as he might train him up to be a 
 good man for farm-work. The lad do love the young 
 master, I do believe, and so he ought, for the matter of 
 that, for he has been very good to 'im. But nowadays 
 lads soon get wrong, and go from bad to worse, and I'm 
 'fraid my Bill may go like the rest." 
 
 " I'll think it over, George," said Jack, " and if I can 
 do anything for him I shall be glad, for I am in your 
 debt for many a kindness." 
 
 " You in my debt. Master Jack ! " said George ; " why, 
 bless you, I've done nothing for you, that's to say to 
 talk about, and see how you've helped me unbeknown 
 to any one. No, Master Jack, you bean't in my debt, 
 but if you'll think of my young Bill, I'll be very 
 thankful." 
 
 " We will both promise you that, George," said Janet, 
 " so make your mind easy." 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 103 
 
 George's heart rejoiced in the promise given, and he 
 hastened homewards. 
 
 "What can we do, Jack, for George's sonf inquired 
 Janet. " What sort of boy is he ?" 
 
 "He is a sharp lad, rather tall, and about thirteen 
 years of age," said Jack. " He is just leaving the National 
 School, where he has done very well. I have had an idea 
 on my mind for some time past, that the question of 
 apprenticing both boys and girls should be re-considered. 
 The evil of the present system is, that as a lad groAvs up 
 he has a natural desire to roam from place to place, and 
 there is no restraining authority. Parental influence, if 
 in any way regarded by the lad, is too often used as an 
 encouragement to the boy to ' stand no nonsense ' from 
 his employer. To expect a boy to grow up into a good 
 w^orkman without proper training is a delusion, but no 
 man now cares to train or correct a boy so that he may 
 become clever at his work, simply because he has no con- 
 trol over his youthful spirit. As a rule, the mothers of 
 these youngsters are ready to treat them with great severity 
 when they themselves administer correction ; but let any 
 one else give even a comparatively gentle punishment, 
 they are as savage as a tigress robbed of her cubs. The 
 ignorance of the parents, and especially the mothers, acts 
 directly against any controlling influence being exerted 
 to train a lad properly. Under the old apprenticeship 
 system — so Dr. Thomson informed me — boys knew they 
 were bound for a certain number of years to one master ; 
 if fairly treated they never dreamt of going to another 
 situation within the agreed time, hence the lads generally 
 settled down to work with good spirit; they learned 
 every kind of work, and became thoroughly good work- 
 
104 THE ABBOTTS FAEM. 
 
 men. They also acquired somewhat settled ideas by the 
 time they were out of their apprenticeship, and in the 
 majority of cases they were ready to stay on, and take 
 regular work on the same farm." 
 
 "But why did they not continue such a successful 
 plan?" inquired Janet. 
 
 "That is more than I can tell you," said Jack, "for 
 you rarely find anybody that knows or cares anything 
 about it. As far as I remember of what Dr. Thomson 
 said, the facts are somewhat of this kind. In 1834 a 
 change took place in the administration of the Poor 
 Law, and — with all its imperfections and abuses — the 
 almost paternal control of the parish officials became 
 superseded by relieving officers, who had simply to relieve 
 distress, but they had no power to help the industrious 
 poor to help themselves. Instead of stretching out a 
 hand to pull the man out of the water, they simply kept 
 him from sinking. They supported him, as they some- 
 times support a boy who is trying to swim, and occasion- 
 ally, to show their authority, let him have'^a mouthful — 
 I don't mean of bread, but — of water. There has been 
 no love lost between them ; the poor dread the power of 
 the relieving officer, but they also hate him intensely. 
 He has no authority to pull them out of the water, and 
 so they are left to struggle on. Thus the poor have 
 become more and more pauperised in mind, body, and 
 estate. Whilst this change was taking place, so far as 
 regards the poor generally, there was an equal disregard 
 for placing the boys and girls out as apprentices ; and 
 although it can be done now — with the parent's consent 
 — as well as ever, it is a custom which has fallen out of 
 practice The questions before us are simply these — 
 
PKACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 105 
 
 Would it be wise for me to take George's boy as a farm 
 apprentice 1 and, if so, what would George and his wife 
 think of the proposal?" 
 
 "I am very glad to have this explained," said Janet, 
 "and now. Jack, we must endeavour to make some land- 
 ing-stages, so that some at least may get out of this 
 struggle with poverty. I will speak to George's wife 
 shortly, and see the boy also." 
 
 Bill soon came into employment at the Abbotts as a 
 farm apprentice, bound for seven years (with his father's 
 consent), to do his master's lawful biddings, and in con- 
 sideration for the same, Jack agreed to find him in board, 
 lodging, and clothing. At the expiration of the first 
 and second year £1 was to be paid to the boy, and the 
 wages were to be increased to £2 in the third year — to 
 £3 in the fourth — to £5 in the fifth year — to £7 in the 
 sixth year, and £9 in the seventh year. As Janet wanted 
 a boy for her pony phaeton, and for attending to little 
 matters in the house and garden, Bill became an in-door 
 servant for his first year. Need it be said that under 
 Janet's guidance the lad entered upon the duties of life 
 under circumstances favourable for his future 1 One of 
 the first calculations he made at Janet's request showed 
 that if he put his wages in the Government Savings 
 Bank year by year as he received it — for all he really 
 needed would be provided for him — ^he would have £28 
 or more in the bank when he was out of his "time." 
 
 Mr. Holmes and his two pupils called one evening 
 at the Abbotts, after coming from Wrexborough, the 
 bearers of a special invitation from Mr. Hastings, the 
 Chairman of the Committee for Science Classes, for Jack 
 and his wife to attend their annual conversazione. These 
 
106 THE ABBOTTS FAEM. 
 
 friendly gatherings had commenced some years previously 
 when Janet's brother — Charlie Webster — in co-operation 
 with Jack, introduced the practice. In common with 
 many other small towns, there had been a very fastidious 
 feeling shown in Wrexborough, as to meeting with persons 
 in the lecture-room who were supposed to be of a different 
 grade with themselves. Mrs. Woodford had been greatly 
 instrumental in the removal of this stupid prejudice. As 
 a matter of course Jack was proud to introduce his wife 
 to the scene of much useful work, in which her brother 
 and he had been taking an active part. 
 
 Mr. Holmes's pupils were two smart young fellows, 
 who had come to him to learn farming, after having had 
 their two years' science training at Rodney College. 
 Naturally enough, they were able to report the most 
 recent opinions held by the students of that College. 
 New work and good progress were reported from the 
 research carried out in the College, by the co-operation 
 of the Principal and Professors with the farmers of the 
 surrounding district. The utmost cordiality of feeling 
 existed between them, for they were bound together in 
 one common work, from which the College and the 
 farmers were both decided gainers. Agricultural science 
 was receiving material aid, and the students of the College 
 were deeply interested in seeing the principles of agricul- 
 ture practically contributing to the prosjierity of farming. 
 The Principal — Dr. Thomson — had from the first defined 
 the duties of the College as a school for agricultural 
 science, in which young men should be prepared, at a 
 moderate cost, for subsequently learning farming, from 
 persbns engaged in the business. The students were 
 not supposed to learn farming in the College, but from 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 107 
 
 those who were carrying it out as a regular occupation, 
 and the duty of that institution ended, so far as regarded 
 the students, in giving them as good a training as possible 
 in the sciences connected with agriculture — making them, 
 in fact, thoroughly intelligent young men, specially pre- 
 pared for acquiring an accurate knowledge of the practical 
 details of the business, from those most competent to 
 teach them. This course of procedure, which was origin- 
 ally recommended by Professor Nicholson, on Jack's sug- 
 gestion, had a twofold object in view. First, the conduct 
 of original research, based upon the variations in the farm 
 products of the district, could not fail to make the Pro- 
 fessors better teachers. Secondly, the advantages which 
 the farmers of the district gained by helping in the 
 work, led to a co-operation which greatly promoted the 
 general improvement of agricultural practice. 
 
, CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 As Janet was returning to the Abbotts one afternoon, 
 she overtook Clara and Annie Watkins, who were on 
 their way to call upon her, so they took seats in the 
 phaeton, and all were soon at their destination. 
 
 " Papa and mamma thought you would be offended 
 With us," said Annie Watkins, "for they fancied we were 
 rude to you when we called with them." 
 
 " We do not all hold the same opinions," said Janet, 
 " and being a stranger to you, you could not possibly 
 have intended anything of the kind; besides this, the 
 inquiries you made were not likely to offend me. You 
 notice that my duties at home are nearly comj^leted for 
 this day ; in fact I have been visiting a poor woman at 
 Leaside. I am sorry to say that Margaret Hutton, the 
 wife of one of our workmen, has fever in her house, and 
 her two children are very ill. These poor creatures are 
 sadly helpless at these times, so I went to see that she 
 was doing all that is necessary." 
 
 "But were you not afraid to go?" inquired Annie 
 Watkins. 
 
 " I hope I may never be afraid to do my duty," said 
 Janet. "The path of duty is the path of safety." 
 
 "And what did you do?" inquired Clara Watkins. 
 
 "I went into the house and saw the children," said 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 109 
 
 Janet ; " pitiable indeed was their condition. The fever 
 was only commencing, but the poor mother, from want 
 of knowing what to do, was doing just what she ought 
 not to do. We opened the window of the bedroom a 
 little at the top and at the bottom; then we cleared 
 everything from the room not actually required, and we 
 secured for the children a proper supply of fresh air. 
 Then I drove into Wrexborough, and told the doctor to 
 see the children, and brought back with me proper dis- 
 infectants to check the mischief spreading." 
 
 "But however did you know what to do?" inquired 
 Clara Watkins. 
 
 " Only by learning, just the same as any one else," 
 said Janet. " I had tAvelve months' training as a nurse, 
 so this was a part of my education, and it really is a 
 very important part. Many a case arises in which a 
 woman needs to act with promptitude, especially if there 
 should be any delay in getting other help. You will 
 see when you get married, and have responsible duties, 
 that things of this kind are frequently arising, and it is 
 most desirable to be ready to do the right thing at once. 
 It is not simply in the case of accidents that we should 
 be always on the alert, but also in the prevention of ill- 
 ness. A child scalds herself, or a man is injured by 
 machinery, or a house is on fire ; the measure of suffer- 
 ing, or even the life of a person, may depend upon what 
 you do in the first five minutes. Now, what would you 
 do in either of these cases V 
 
 "I should run away screaming, I am sure I should," 
 said Annie Watkins. 
 
 "That would do no good, and it would certainly 
 tend to create confusion," said Janet. "But suppose 
 
110 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 you could not run away ; say you are blocked back in 
 the case of firef 
 
 " Oh, I should lie down and die, or jump out of the 
 first window, or do something equally ridiculous," said 
 Clara Watkins. 
 
 " Do you really mean that you never learnt anything 
 to guide you in any such difficulty?" inquired Janet. 
 "If not, you have something yet to learn before your 
 education can be considered complete. Do you mind 
 telling me what branches of useful knowledge you have 
 studied f 
 
 "We have done regular boarding-school work, of 
 course," said Clara Watkins, "and that is useful, most 
 useful." 
 
 "It is undoubtedly most useful," said Janet, "and 
 especially if it be rightly used as a means for preparing 
 yourself for learning the duties of life. In itself it is a 
 course of tuition under which the mind is trained and 
 expanded as a preliminary for learning something else, 
 so. that if any one is content to be simply prepared to 
 learn, and then she does not make use of that prepara- 
 tion, the school education is of limited advantage. Have 
 you ever studied the nature of the food we eat, the air 
 we breathe, the character of the things around us, and 
 which we constantly usef 
 
 "We have done nothing of that kind," said Annie 
 Watkins. " We do not consider these as matters to 
 trouble ourselves about." 
 
 " But if ladies do not study these matters," said Janet, 
 "I should like to know who ought to do so." 
 
 " That is all doctor's work," said Annie Watkins ; " it 
 is more for them than for any one else to attend to." 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. Ill 
 
 "It is certainly necessary for medical men to study 
 these matters," said Janet, " because they have to correct 
 the errors which are made ; but is it not equally import- 
 ant for us to know how to prevent such errors being 
 committed? Prevention is better than cure. But if 
 you have not studied such useful science subjects as 
 these, you no doubt know how to make your own cloth- 
 ing, to cure a ham, or make a loaf of bread, or a tart, 
 and to do such like things, which are really common- 
 place requirements." 
 
 "We steadily avoid kitchen matters," said Annie 
 Watkins ; "it will be time enough to take to these things 
 when we are obliged. Mamma, I know, takes your view 
 of this sort of work, but what is the use of a boarding- 
 school education, if the grand climax is to take to 
 servant's work. Mamma did not go to a boarding- 
 school, or perhaps she would have thought better of it." 
 
 "It is very kind of you, however, to explain all this 
 to us," said Clara Watkins; "but our education is com- 
 pleted now, and I should not care to begin it again. We 
 shall circulate, I suppose, like other bad coin which no 
 one cares to make a loss upon." 
 
 " You do not give yourself or your sister anything 
 like fair play," said Janet ; "if you could only find two 
 hours daily for it, I would soon put you in the way of a 
 course of reading which would both benefit and interest 
 
 you." 
 
 "Thank you very much," said Clara, "I couldn't 
 possibly do it." 
 
 "I am also very much obliged to you," said Annie, 
 "but my time is already very fully occupied." 
 
 "There is one good sign in that to begin with," said 
 
112 THE ABBOTTS FAEM. 
 
 Janet; "for to be so fully occupied indicates much 
 industry on your part. Now, do you mind telling me 
 what class of duty occupies your time so fully ?" 
 
 There was no response from either of the young 
 ladies, but blushes of shame were the too evident indica- 
 tion that they did nothing useful for themselves or for 
 others. There being no congeniality of taste, the inter- 
 course between Janet and these young ladies was natur- 
 ally restricted to the most commonplace courtesies. The 
 feeling on the part of Mr. and Mrs. Watkins was one of 
 deep regret that their daughters had refused the offer so 
 kindly made by Janet, and Mr. "Watkins, some short 
 time after, told Jack, 
 
 " I believe they are too ignorant to understand the 
 value of knowledge, but what I am to do with them is 
 beyond me, and you know, Mr. John, times are now 
 very bad for some of us." 
 
 The precautionary measures taken in Margaret 
 Button's cottage, and the subsequent treatment directed 
 by the medical man, were successful in preventing the 
 spread of the disease, and the children, under watchful 
 care, recovered health and strength. 
 
 Janet had much encouragement in her little gather- 
 ings of the wives of the labourers. She never recom- 
 mended for their use at home what she could not 
 equally use at her own table, and thus, whilst showing 
 them how to prepare some cheap dishes, they always felt 
 they were partaking of food used by the gentle -folk. 
 The time had now arrived when their gatherings were 
 to cease. The women felt the loss of the privileges they 
 had enjoyed, and they pleaded for their continuance; 
 but Janet, with sound policy, declined to accede to their 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 113 
 
 wishes. She had taught them many useful lessons, had 
 helped them to make their homes more comfortable, and 
 improve their mode of living, hence the time had come 
 for them to make a good use of what had been done for 
 them. Mary Murch and Jane King had attended with 
 regularity at the appointed times, and rendered services 
 in the dairy in compensation for being taught how to 
 carry on the work, for which both of them were now 
 qualified. Anne Murch had also prospered in her work, 
 and was preparing to help her son in buying things 
 which were needed for his garden and dairy. 
 
 One morning Mr. Watkins called upon Jack to tell 
 him that he was in difficulty about his sheep, for with 
 all his care in using his swedes, they had rotted away so 
 fast that he had scarcely any food left. Jack, on the 
 contrary, had such a sound lot of swedes that his sheep 
 were not getting over the ground as fast as was necessary. 
 He was therefore in a position to help his neighbour with 
 advantage to himself, and he arranged with him to do so. 
 
 " You must follow my plan next season," said Jack, 
 " and secure some good lasting swedes, and save yourself 
 the expense of buying food a second time. Eemember, 
 you paid more for your manure than I did, and yet I 
 have the best result." 
 
 "Well, Mr. John," said Watkins, "time will prove 
 a good many things. I hope to follow your lead, but 
 many things may happen, and I may not do so after all. 
 Time will prove." 
 
 The general course of affairs was proceeding satisfac- 
 torily at the Abbotts, and the sale of the corn clearly 
 proved that early sowing with selected seed was a sound 
 and good policy. The store of mangel, when examined, 
 
 I 
 
114 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 was found to be in capital condition, and well prepared 
 for being kept for late use. The greater portion of the 
 crop of "Student" parsnips was sold at a good price, 
 fully maintaining the character of the variety for quality 
 and for yield. The bullocks which were fattening in the 
 sheds were making thoroughly good progress, and Jack 
 had every reason to be satisfied with the successful posi- 
 tion of his affairs. The time for active spring work had 
 now arrived, and, taking time by the forelock, all pro- 
 mised well for continued success. He had, of course, the 
 same petty troubles as other men of business, but as he 
 made a rule of being in advance of his work, he could 
 the more easily grapple with his difficulties. 
 
 When next Mrs. Woodford called upon Janet, she 
 was much interested to hear of the progress which had 
 been made with the labourers' wives, and the peculiar 
 views which had been expressed by Clara and Annie 
 Watkins. 
 
 " It is most unfortunate for poor Watkins," said Mrs. 
 Woodford, " for I know he is fearfully behind in his rent, 
 and those girls, instead of being idle at home, would be 
 more prudent if they prepared themselves for some use- 
 ful occupation. There is no doubt he spent more than 
 he could fairly afford in educating them, as he no doubt 
 thought for the best." 
 
 "The great difficulty," said Janet, "is the want of 
 some school to which girls may go when they have had 
 a good preliminary education, so as to train them in the 
 useful application of their knowledge. If, when my hus- 
 band left school, he had not been trained in the duties 
 before him, he would not have been the good farmer he 
 now is. The great majority of girls would rejoice in the 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 115 
 
 opportunity of rendering themselves thoroughly fitted 
 for the duties of Hfe, but they sadly need some helping 
 hand." 
 
 "In this direction, at any rate, I shall be able to 
 help," said Mrs. Woodford. "I cannot allow you to 
 have a monopoly in this good work, in which you are so 
 interested. If you will consider the best course of pro- 
 cedure, I will call upon you shortly, and we will see what 
 can be done." 
 
CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 When the young apprentice had been in his place a 
 month, he had the opportunity of going home one Sunday. 
 He soon told his parents of his comfort, and of his satis- 
 faction with his work ; but when he had told them of the 
 prospects before him of accumulating his wages during 
 his " time," and that he intended to have at least £28 in 
 the bank when his apprenticeship ended, George Moore 
 and his wife then began to reaHse more fully the prudent 
 step they had taken. Here was their lad growing up 
 under a good master, who would be sure to train him 
 well in his work, his food and the other necessaries of 
 life were provided, and when he had gl'o^vn up to be able 
 to do man's work, he would be commencing life with 
 money already saved, and a thoroughly good knowledge 
 of his business. 
 
 " It's a mighty good chance you've got before you," 
 said George Moore ; "if you're a good boy and a good 
 man you'll better yourself as you go on, and when you 
 get my age you needn't look to the Union workhouse as 
 your last home. I've always worked hard, I've always 
 been honest ; but in a few years that'll be my place ; I 
 see nothing else to hope for." 
 
 "I'll do all I can, father," said Bill, "and if I can get 
 on well, my father shan't go to the workhouse, nor mother 
 either." 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 117 
 
 The lad, who until a month past had naturally been a 
 care and anxiety to his parents, had suddenly glided into 
 the position of being their hope in their later days, whilst 
 he thus early in life had an object to work for. In the 
 fulness of his heart he soon told Janet of what he hoped 
 to do, and of the fear his father had named to him. Her 
 kindly encouragement and advice helped to keep the 
 lamp of affectionate regard for his parents burning brightly 
 in his young heart. This one object thus became more 
 and more prominent in his mind, it became a guiding 
 principle of his life, and towards it his energies of mind 
 constantly tended. In too many cases it is a desire for 
 change, or, as it is commonly expressed, a desire "to see 
 life," which is the overruling influence ; but happy is it for 
 any boy or girl who, on entering upon the battle of life, 
 has some good object impressed upon his or her mind — 
 something noble to aim at. Happier still is it, if such an 
 object be fixed upon whilst the heart's affections are warm 
 and sensitive, before bad habits have seared the surface 
 and debased the feelings. No one realised this truth 
 more fully than Janet, or more highly valued its influence, 
 and in her hands it became as a rudder, by which she 
 could guide this young lad into habits of life calculated 
 to be for his future advantage and happiness. 
 
 But life is a chequered scene ; it has its joys, it also 
 has its sorrows. Of this Janet became painfully reminded 
 by receiving a note informing her of the distress at the 
 Manor House Farm, consequent upon the sudden death 
 of Mr. Watkins. Although Janet was a comparative 
 stranger to Mrs. Watkins, she felt that she could claim 
 her as a sympathising friend, and hence she called her to 
 her side in this sudden bereavement. It was a most sad 
 
118 THE ABBOTTS FAEM. 
 
 and painful scene, for grief at the loss only brought into 
 clearer light the utterly hopeless position of the family. 
 Day by day, she was to be found administering friendly 
 help and counsel, whilst her husband relieved them from 
 anxieties about the work on the farm. "When aU had 
 been done to show respect to the deceased, a consultation 
 was held as to the future proceedings of the family. It 
 was decided that Clara Watkins should be sent to a friend 
 of the family in London, in order that she might obtain 
 a situation. Annie was to remain with her mother for a 
 time, and ultimately she also was to adopt similar 
 measures for obtaining her own support. 
 
 Clara, in a few days, left her home and journeyed to 
 London, where she was kindly received by Mrs. Collings. 
 Without loss of time the question was considered as to 
 the class of situation for which she was best suited, and 
 although Mrs. Collings was an able and intelligent woman, 
 well versed in London life, she failed to fix upon anything 
 likely to be satisfactory. Advertisements were eagerly 
 perused, situations were applied for with a continuous 
 want of success. The attainments of the young lady 
 were not sufficiently marked, to secure her a situation in 
 competition with more efficient rivals. At length, when 
 she could no longer delay securing something to do, she 
 made an application to Messrs. Gough and Waterman, and 
 through Mrs. Collings's influence she was engaged as an 
 assistant in a refreshment room. Clara Watkins had 
 youth, health, and strength on her side, but most severely 
 were all taxed in this struggle for life. The long and 
 weary hours, the empty and well-nigh disgusting chaff, 
 the fulsome flattery and its associated jokes, pierced to 
 this girl's heart, whilst she maintained the oyitward 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 119 
 
 appearance of that polite attention which her situation 
 demanded. The relief which she found for her pent-up 
 feelings was chiefly secured by her occasional Sunday letter 
 to Janet, whose prudent counsels aided her greatly in the 
 hard contest on which she had now entered. Clara, with 
 all her shortcomings, was a girl of high moral tone of 
 character, and afi'ectionately attached to her sister, hence 
 her experience of the hardships of securing her own living, 
 caused her very deep anxiety lest Annie should have to 
 follow in her footsteps, and tread the same thorny path. 
 Her letters to her sister, swept from her mind the decep- 
 tive films which had been established under a defective 
 system of education, and fully awakened her mind to 
 the importance of acquiring some thoroughly useful 
 knowledge. 
 
 As the spring advanced, the ewes and lambs were 
 feeding upon the early gathered mangels which Jack had 
 stored, and which had kept in splendid condition, com- 
 paring very favourably even with those grown at the 
 Holt. No one was more ready to acknowledge this than 
 Mr. Holmes, who informed Jack that his mangels were 
 growing and rotting far beyond his expectations. 
 
 "So you are satisfied," said Jack, "that you gained 
 nothing by delaying to gather in the crop." 
 
 "Far from gaining anything," said Mr. Holmes, "I 
 have lost considerably by doing so, and I shall not do it 
 again." 
 
 "If you were going to grow apples for late keeping," 
 said Jack, "you would probably do two things. You 
 would select a variety that did not ripen early, and you 
 would gather them quite hard and unripe. You would 
 not permit them to ripen, even if the season were favour- 
 
120 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 able for doing so, and still less would you allow them to 
 be acted upon by the frost I believe the same rules 
 should apply to mangels. The action of the frost, as 
 you know, is a peculiar mode of ripening fruit and roots, 
 and somewhat similar results are accomplished in each 
 case. The frost is not only more prompt, but it is also 
 more harsh in its action, and the flavour is never as per- 
 fectly developed. If the mangels be gathered in whilst 
 quite unripe, and — as was done in my case — before any 
 frost has acted upon them, the ripening takes place very 
 slowly in the heap, but in the most satisfactory manner. 
 You must have seen crops of roots in the autumn of the 
 year, which punish the sheep fearfully, so that they sufi'er 
 as badly as a school-boy who has eaten a lot of sour 
 apples. Now, in both these cases, the trouble arises 
 from the juices being in an acrid, sour, or unripe condi- 
 tion, but as soon as the frost has acted on the roots the 
 evil is corrected, for the juices are immediately changed, 
 or, in other, words, the roots are irregularly ripened. 
 When such ripening takes place in this way there is a 
 great tendency for the roots to become decomposed, and 
 quite gummy in their character, or, as we commonly say, 
 rottea This latter change is hastened by warmth, and 
 hence, when mangels have caught the frost, and are then 
 put into heaps in which they heat, this treatment natur- 
 ally favours decay. Apart, therefore, from the loss of 
 food which may take place by allowing the mangel to 
 overgrow itself, and turn much of its starch and sugar 
 into woody fibre, we too often render that which remains 
 unfit for being kept, by needless exposure to the frost 
 I am rather disposed to go in for roots smaller in size, 
 thicker on the ground, and to have them safely stored a 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 121 
 
 week or two before the frost is even likely to touch 
 them. If I could also secure seed from slowly grown 
 and late varieties, I should prefer it, but so long as the 
 general tendency is in favour of over-grown monstros- 
 ities, chiefly remarkable for having lost the greater 
 portion of the feeding properties they once possessed, we 
 have little to hope for from the ordinary producer of 
 seed." 
 
 "You had better go to work, grow your own seed," 
 said Mr. Holmes. 
 
 "I shall probably do so," said Jack, "and for this 
 purpose I will sow some few varieties this season, and 
 make my own selection. Have you seen my young 
 clovers, how well they are progressing?" 
 
 "They are grand, indeed," said Mr. Holmes; "they 
 are stronger and better than ever. Is there any change 
 in their treatment f 
 
 "This is the first growth I have had," said Jack, 
 " since treating the farmyard manure on Mr. Cadle's 
 plan. When drawing out the manure into the heap I 
 had about a half cwt. of Kainite thrown in with every 
 ton of manure, and the result is we have a good deal of 
 nitrate of potash formed at a smaU cost. Although we 
 have long known the nitrate of potash to be most valu- 
 able for clovers, it has been too expensive to purchase 
 as a manure. The clover stands thick on the ground, 
 and it will give me a very good cut of thoroughly good 
 fodder. The growth in the autumn was remarkably 
 strong, but I kept to your rule of not feeding it, and I 
 am sure the crop will show its gratitude for giving it a 
 good chance for settling itself into the land. My clover 
 differs greatly from what our old friend Foster used to 
 
122 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 grow on this land. I should very much like to invite 
 him up here in the summer, and show him what we are 
 doing. I will call upon him some day, and take Janet 
 with me, so as to prepare the way for a visit." 
 
 " How is Janet getting on with the labourers' wives 1" 
 inquired Mr. Holmes. 
 
 "Capitally," said Jack; "they have been pressing 
 her to let them come again to the Abbotts for some 
 more of their working meetings, but she has told 
 them she is watching to see whether they remember, 
 and make a good use of what she has already shown to 
 them." 
 
 "I think she is very wise in that respect," said Mr. 
 Holmes. "She is evidently careful to encourage their 
 appetite for good things. And how is Clara Watkins 
 getting on?" 
 
 " She is studying in school," said Jack. 
 
 " You don't say so V said Mr. Holmes. " How long 
 has that been the case 1" 
 
 "Ever since she left home, I think," said Jack. 
 
 " I thought she took a situation in London," said 
 Mr. Holmes. "Has she given that up?" 
 
 "No, she carries on her studies, and the duties of 
 her situation as well," said Jack. 
 
 "That is more than she cared to do here," said Mr. 
 Holmes. 
 
 " Yes, that is true," said Jack, " but she is now study- 
 ing in the school of adversity, and, poor girl, she has 
 already made considerable progress. She writes to 
 Janet occasionally, and we hope she is now beginning to 
 realise the value of a happy home, and the best means 
 for securing one. It has opened Annie's understanding 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 123 
 
 also to the realities of life, and Janet is more hopeful of 
 both than ever she was." 
 
 "Ah ! Jack," said Mr. Holmes, "I made a mistake in 
 thinking you were wrong in marrying Janet, but I am 
 more than ever convinced that you are right in saying, 
 that there is no reason why a lady should cease to be a 
 lady because she becomes the wife of a tenant farmer." 
 
CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 The scheme for promoting the education of the daughters 
 of farmers had scarcely been reduced into a working 
 form, when Mrs. Woodford called upon Janet, according 
 to arrangement, for the purpose of learning the general 
 particulars. 
 
 "You will probably think our proposal somewhat 
 extensive," said Janet, "but we still think it practicable. 
 Our proposal embodies a college for girls and also a 
 village hospital. You are aware of the fact that Lans- 
 downe House — which is half a mile from Wrexborough, 
 and is Mr. Woodford's property — has long remained 
 without an occupant, although a merely nominal rent 
 has been asked for it. The house is too large as a resi- 
 dence for a family without a considerable income, and 
 for persons of this class it is in other respects unsuitable. 
 This we propose as the centre of our operations, and we 
 wish to name it "Wyndham College," after your own 
 family — a name with which I cannot but feel many 
 pleasing associations. We recommend that it should be 
 carried out as a private enterprise, and not as having 
 any " charity " about it. If, as we believe, the instruction 
 to be given will be of distinct money value, it will 
 command proper payments for the advantages it ■will 
 confer. For another reason we prefer the name we have 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 125 
 
 proposed, even to that of the Squire, and I hope you 
 will both agree with us on this point. As far as I can 
 learn from my husband, there need be but a small outlay 
 made in putting it into repair, and probably this can be 
 provided for in the rent. We have therefore to provide 
 only a moderate sum, beyond that actually necessary for 
 accommodating the pupils. A lady principal should be 
 chosen, well qualified for that position, and for every 
 group of ten girls admitted one pupil-assistant should be 
 allowed. The system of tuition should be divided into 
 three sections, and these might be distinguished as the 
 domestic, the economic, and the sanitary departments. 
 In carrying out the details of the scheme, we propose a 
 half-time system, or in other words, half of the time for 
 study and half for practical work. The girls should 
 show that they have made satisfactory progress in 
 ordinary school education before they are admitted, and 
 they should not be less than fifteen years of age when 
 they enter. As they show proficiency in the different 
 branches of each section, a certificate should be granted, 
 and the pupils passed on to a higher class of study or 
 work. The domestic section would naturally be tak^n 
 first, and a general acquaintance gained with household 
 duties — such, for instance, as bread-making, cooking in 
 its various branches, making clothing, and so on — and 
 the principles influencing these branches of female duty 
 would also be learnt. Then the pupil would pass into 
 the second section — the economic — and here a knowledge 
 of dairy practice, keeping fowls, bees, etc., and the 
 management of gardens and other matters of this kind 
 would be learnt in theory and in practice. Ultimately the 
 pupil would pass to the sanitary section, and here the 
 
126 THE ABBOTTS FAEM. 
 
 ordinary laws of health and disease, as weU as the 
 practice of nursing in cases of accidents and illness of 
 various kinds would be taught. Hence you see why we 
 propose, ultimately, to associate a village hospital with 
 our scheme, but, during the early days of the College 
 work, this portion may be better held in abeyance. Now 
 we come to the question of payments to be made by the 
 pupils, and this we propose should be £50 a year, and if 
 we secure thoroughly competent science lecturers, we 
 may obtain the recognition of the Government Depart- 
 ment of Science, and have scholarships tenable here, just 
 as they are held in Eodney College." 
 
 "It is a capital proposal," said Mrs. Woodford, "and 
 I quite expect my husband will be greatly in favour of it ; 
 but before we proceed any farther I will ask his opinion, 
 and let you know what he thinks of it. And now I 
 want you to tell me about these unfortunate creatures at 
 the Manor House Farm." 
 
 Janet gave Mrs. Woodford such information as she 
 considered proper and desirable, after which she left 
 with words of warm* commendation on her lips. In a 
 few days she called to inform Janet that she might rely 
 upon their support in carrying out the scheme for 
 Wyndham College, and that the Squire was greatly 
 pleased with the name she had chosen. On the following 
 day Janet drove to Wrexborough to lay the plans before 
 Dr. A\Tiichcord, of which he also cordially approved, and 
 he promised to see Mr. Hastings and some other friends, 
 so as to put the working arrangements into proi)er form. 
 Before a month had elapsed the property had been 
 secured from Mr. Woodford at the low rental of £45 a 
 year — ^which was the rent at which it stood so long un- 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 127 
 
 occupied — and he undertook to have the necessary 
 repairs done forthwith. Thus a large and convenient 
 old-fashioned house, with a good garden and five acres 
 of grass land, had been secured for the College. It was 
 found that £400 would be quite sufficient for furnishing 
 the rooms of the Lady Principal, purchasing a small 
 library, and for other general household furniture, but a 
 further outlay of about £10 for each pupil would be 
 necessary, according to the number of pupils received. 
 If they commenced work with thirty pupils it was 
 calculated that there would be a profit of about £5 or 
 £6 on each pupil, so that if this number were secured 
 the fees paid would go far to provide for the additional 
 outlay thus necessitated. Dr. Whichcord had succeeded 
 in getting shares taken in the enterprise to the extent of 
 fully £600, and Wyndham College was fairly ushered 
 into existence. The Committee of Management consisted 
 of four ladies and three gentlemen, and amongst these 
 we find the names of Mrs. Woodford, Mr. and Mrs. John 
 Holmes, Dr. Whichcord, and Mr. Hastings — with all 
 of whom we are already familiar — whilst Mrs. Duckworth 
 and Miss Yates completed the group. 
 
 As soon as they were duly organised, Janet laid be- 
 fore them the general scheme, and it was formally 
 accepted. The next step was to select a Lady Principal, 
 and this appointment was ultimately made in favour of 
 Miss Ellen Temple. This lady had taken a Scholarship 
 in Wrexborough three years previously, and had subse- 
 quently distinguished herself by a very successful course 
 of science work in Belgravia College, London. She was 
 to enter upon her appointment at the expiration of a 
 month, by which time the session in that college would 
 
128 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 have terminated. The repairs and alterations of the 
 buildings — so far as related to the Committee of Manage- 
 ment — were entrusted to the three gentlemen, and all 
 departed quite hopeful for the future of Wyndham 
 College. 
 
 The cottages which were being built for Thomas 
 Murch and Charles King were now complete and ready 
 for their occupation, and they entered into possession. 
 Jack had taken the precaution of securing three bed- 
 rooms on the first floor, and the space over these had 
 been utilised so as to furnish a convenient loft for keeping 
 various garden appliances. Within a few days Jack 
 took these two men to a fair, and each having chosen a 
 cow with a calf by her side, which met Jack's approval 
 and price, the men took the cows and calves to the 
 Abbotts, and proper places were assigned to them in the 
 homestead. Charles King had made extra money dur- 
 ing the lambing season, and this he had left in Jack's 
 hands until he wanted to purchase some dairy utensils 
 and a couple of young pigs, so that he might be able to 
 make use of the milk with every advantage. Probably 
 no one was happier than Anne Murch in being able to 
 secui-e for her son similar advantages out of the money 
 she had earned by the sale of milk. The two cows were 
 treated just the same as the other cows on the farm, and 
 when brought home for milking, they went to two per- 
 fectly separated stalls, to which the wives of the two men 
 came regularly for the purpose of milking, and for attend- 
 ing to the calves. The next question to be settled was 
 as to the disposal of the calves, and acting on Jack's 
 advice — both being nice heifer calves — they arranged 
 with him to keep them for them as soon as they were 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 129 
 
 weaned, for they saw that the sale of dairy produce 
 would easily enable them to pay this small weekly charge. 
 Mary Murch and Jane King now became two of the 
 busiest women in the parish, and, thanks to Janet's 
 oversight and guidance, they glided into their work with 
 little difficulty or confusion. A happier mind and more 
 nourishing food had done much for verifying Anne 
 Murch's anticipations ; she had gained strength, and was 
 now well able to aid both women in the sale of butter 
 and milk, for which work she received compensation. 
 
 Annie Watkins now demanded Janet's thoughtful 
 care. Warned as she had been by her sister's hard 
 struggle in London, and listening to her urgent advice, 
 she had come to the Abbotts, and without any reserve 
 pleaded for Janet's help and guidance. It was most 
 readily given, for Janet was only too anxious to save any 
 one from difficulty or danger. It was arranged that she 
 should come to the Abbotts daily, and take part in the 
 dairy work and other domestic duties, and that she should 
 at once commence a course of reading calculated to be 
 useful to her. From day to day did Janet give her one 
 hour of her time to help her forward. A fear of the 
 future in store for her, induced Annie to work with a 
 zeal and determination she had never before known. 
 The nonsense she had once talked about " miserable lady- 
 helps," and "an aversion to all kitchen work," had been 
 effectually scattered to the winds, for she stood face to 
 face with a dark and clouded future, on which her sister 
 had entered only to implore her not to follow on her 
 miserable track. Janet, knowing the sincere craving for 
 instruction which Annie Watkins now felt, laboured to 
 aid her as if she had been her own sister, and she had 
 
 K 
 
130 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 her reward in the devoted affection of one who now 
 bitterly grieved over her previous conduct towards her. 
 
 The time quickly rolled by, and Miss Ellen Temple 
 in due course commenced her oflSicial residence in Wynd- 
 ham College. Acting upon Janet's suggestion, she 
 engaged Annie Watkins as a pupil-assistant, with the 
 understanding that she should assist Miss Temple in the 
 many preliminary arrangements which demanded atten- 
 tion, for which purpose it was necessary for her to 
 become forthwith an inmate of the College. Her oppor- 
 tunities for carrying on her studies were improved, and 
 she had the intense satisfaction of feeling that she was 
 engaged in an occupation, whereby she could earn her 
 own support without drawing upon her mother's sadly 
 reduced means. It also secured for her an opportunity 
 for improving her position, which she did not fail to con- 
 trast with her sister's difficulties. 
 
 Joyful indeed was the news received by Janet within 
 a few days of this time, informing her of her brother's 
 return to England, and of his early visit to the Abbotts. 
 Jack had never given up the hope he expressed when he 
 parted from him, "that before his second harvest, he 
 would receive his congratulations at the Abbotts," and 
 now his expectations were to be more fully realised than 
 he had then even dared to hope. Within a fortnight he 
 was to be their guest, and the anticipation of his visit 
 was a source of unbounded pleasure to each. 
 
 At length the time arrived when it appeared to be 
 favourable for Mr. Foster to be invited to re-visit the 
 Abbotts. Jack called upon him in his comfortable little 
 house in Wrexborough, and introduced Janet to him. 
 In conversation he expressed a wish to see the old 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 131 
 
 place, and Janet promised to drive in for him some early 
 day. 
 
 On her return home she received a letter from Clara 
 Watkins, in which she expressed her deep gratitude for 
 what had been done for her sister, but she added some 
 statements which filled Janet's mind with intense anxiety 
 for her welfare. After a consultation with her husband, 
 it was decided that at any cost she must be plucked from 
 her position of danger. It may here be stated that she 
 had entered upon her situation under the assumed name 
 of Mary Clarke, and in a few days the newspapers con- 
 tained notices of this lady's mysterious disappearance. 
 Her friends were not made anxious by these announce- 
 ments, for they did not recognise the individual, but a 
 bitter disappointment was caused to one whose scheme 
 for her ruin was thus prematurely crushed. 
 
CHAPTEK XIX. 
 
 Not many days after Charlie Webster's arrival at The 
 Abbotts, Janet, in accordance with her promise, drove to 
 Wrexborough and" brought Mr. Foster to see the farm 
 he had so long occupied. It was on a lovely day in the 
 latter portion of July, and one well suited for the critical 
 examination which was sure to arise. Jack and Charlie 
 Webster met the phaeton before it reached the house, 
 and by a change in the route they greatly shortened the 
 walk Mr. Foster would have to take in seeing the crops, 
 and Janet, having entrusted him to their care, drove 
 homewards. 
 
 "It is nearly four years," said Jack, "since we three 
 parted near this spot. Many changes have taken place 
 in that time ; you, Mr. Foster, have entered upon a 
 rest from business cares, Charlie Webster has been 
 round the world, but I have been quietly working on this 
 farm" 
 
 "Quiet working or not," said Mr. Foster, "the place 
 has been changed more than we have. What on earth 
 have you done to the f ann 1 I must admit I did not grow 
 crops like these, but I suppose you have gone in for 
 chemicals pretty extensively." 
 
 " Yes, to a very large extent," said Jack, " Will you 
 lend me your stick, Mr. Foster, for a moment." With 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 133 
 
 the same Jack thrust it easily, but deeply, into the soil. 
 " I find this is the best and cheapest market for chemicals, 
 as far at least as they are here in stock. When I have 
 not enough in this storehouse, I do my best to get some 
 from other places." 
 
 "But you have double-trenched this land like a 
 garden," said Mr. Foster, "for I don't remember any of 
 my land so deep as this." 
 
 "The work is nearly as good as double-trenching," 
 said Jack, " but I did it with steam, instead of employing 
 men to do it. Iron and coal are much cheaper than 
 muscle and food, and in these days we must strive for 
 cheap but good labour." 
 
 "But," said Mr. Foster, " you must have spent a little 
 fortune to make all this change." 
 
 "Yes, my little fortune is nearly all spent on the 
 farm," said Jack; "but, with one exception, my annual 
 expenses are about the same as yours were ; still, as my 
 crops are about doubled in value, I have therefore a fair 
 profit from my occupation." 
 
 "What is the exception you refer tol" asked Mr. 
 Foster. 
 
 " The cost of the purchased food used on this farm 
 is large," said Jack, "but I know the cattle and sheep 
 fully repay the outlay, and leave the manure as a profit, 
 so that practically our net expenditure does not diff'er 
 greatly. What do you think of my clover, Mr. Foster 1 
 I have already cut two tons per acre of splendid hay from 
 this field, and I hope to cut another ton." 
 
 "It is certainly very good," said Mr. Foster. "I had 
 a good deal of trouble with my clovers on this farm, but 
 your deep cultivation suits it, I suppose. I was an old 
 
134 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 man when steam-ploughing first came into these parts, 
 and it didn't seem natural-like to me." 
 
 "The deep cultivation helps me very much," said 
 Jack, " but I make a rule of giving the clovers a good 
 chance of settling well into the land before making use 
 of the crop, and with this object in view I do two things 
 — I give the young seeds a dressing of farmyard manure, 
 mixed with something like wood ashes, and I do not 
 have any of the young clover eaten before winter. It 
 may look wasteful, but by doing so, I have doubled the 
 produce." 
 
 "I admit the quantity is doubled," said Mr. Foster; 
 "but your two cuttings of clover in one season must 
 punish the plant terribly." 
 
 "We will walk to the old clover-ley," said Jack. 
 " My impression is there is nothing to complain of. I 
 think the plan tends rather to strengthen the plant." 
 
 " You are right," said Mr. Foster. " I never had old 
 clover as good as this. You've got some good wether 
 lambs here, the best I have seen for many a day. What 
 are they having f 
 
 " Just a little linseed cake and com," said Jack ; " and 
 they help the land for the wheat crop. Look at this 
 small piece of the clover I have dug up for you to see." 
 
 "That is a wonderful growth of clover-root," said 
 Mr. Foster. " It must be very bad wheat that won't do 
 well on that clover-ley." 
 
 " But I do not give bad wheat any chance of doing 
 well in it," said Jack, "for I am careful to use the best 
 seed-wheat I can get Come to the next field, see the 
 wheat, and judge for yourself." 
 
 "If I didn't know some of the places about here," 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 135 
 
 said Mr. Foster, "I really wouldn't believe I was on 
 the Abbotts. It is a splendid crop, and no mistake. 
 But I've seen enough to satisfy me ; so, if you don't mind, 
 we will go to the house." 
 
 Onwards they went towards the house, but in crossing 
 the land sown with roots, the old man's spirits revived, 
 for he said, 
 
 "I have beaten you for roots in my time, and 
 especially for mangels, and now I shall be better 
 satisfied." 
 
 "But," said Jack, "I don't care about large mangels 
 and forward swedes, so at this time of the year I look 
 in poor trim; but when winter comes, I get the best 
 swedes and mangels in the neighbourhood. Will you 
 look over this gate at my oats 1 " 
 
 "It is enough," said Mr. Foster; "they promise as 
 well as the wheat." 
 
 A few minutes brought them to the house, where a 
 cheerful repast awaited them, after which Janet took an 
 early opportunity of settling Mr. Foster very comfortably 
 into an easy chair, from which he could overlook the 
 garden. Bringing him a cup of delicious coffee, she 
 seated herself by his side, and expressed her hopes that 
 he had been pleased with what he had seen. 
 
 "I could be happy even at the Abbotts," said Mr. 
 Foster, " with such kind care and good farming. I can 
 scarcely believe that it is the same place on which I lived 
 for forty years or more. My time is past for these things 
 now, but I hope you will both be happy, and prosper on 
 the farm. And have you done anything f 
 
 So Janet told him what she had been doing for the 
 good of those around her, and the old man was delighted 
 
136 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 at the tales she so gently outlined to him, and begged 
 that she would call sometimes to tell him how her work 
 progressed, for he said it soothed him like the song of 
 an angel. Jack drove Mr. Foster home in the evening, 
 but he could only thank him for his kindness, and wish 
 him a long-continued success. 
 
 "I have been calling to mind. Jack, since you started 
 with Mr. Foster," said Charlie Webster, " our first inter- 
 view with that old gentleman, when you and I came to 
 see his clovers, nearly four years since, how he said to 
 you, 'Ah, my lad, I suppose you'll allow me to know 
 what is best for my land, anyhow.' There is as great a 
 change in him as ever there is in the farm. He seemed 
 exhausted by a succession of surprises. He will dream 
 to-night about the crops at the Abbotts, you may 
 depend." 
 
 For once in your life, Charlie Webster, you are 
 wrong, the soft and soothing words of your sister, telling 
 the simple tale of kindness to those he knew so well, 
 rested longer on his memory, and his weary spirit rejoiced 
 more in this than in anything else he had heard or seen 
 that day. 
 
 A few days after Mr. Foster's visit, the summer 
 meeting of the Eodney Club took place in Wrexborough. 
 Jack was in office as President, and he was very pleased 
 to introduce Charlie Webster, who, like himself, was a 
 member of Eodney College. George Winstanley and 
 Thomas Edwards had recently returned from the College, 
 the former having completed his two years' course of 
 study, and received the Science Certificate of the College. 
 A notice had been received from the Government De- 
 partment of Science that George Morgan had gained the 
 
PKACTICE WITH SCIEXCE. 137 
 
 vacant scholarship, and he had to prepare to enter the 
 College when Thomas Edwards returned for his second 
 year. Edward Marston was daily expecting his sum- 
 mons to Eodney College to undergo his examination in 
 the Practice of Agriculture, after his two years' work on 
 his father's farm. Those amongst them who had com- 
 pleted their course of study and examinations in Eodney 
 College, those who were progressing in the work, and he 
 who was about to enter on the same path, had much to 
 talk over, and frequent opportunities offered for render- 
 ing to each other that counsel and help which was needed. 
 Bound together, as they were, there was a generous 
 rivalry for doing honour to the Wrexborough Science 
 Class for the principles of Agriculture, from which each 
 had in succession taken his scholarship. The name of 
 Mr. Woodford was intimately associated with that Club, 
 not only as its Patron, but as the founder of the scholar- 
 ships. The Squire was unable to be present on this 
 occasion, but in a note to the President he desired him 
 to inform the Club, that he considered the £50 a year he 
 was paying for maintaining the two Wrexborough 
 Scholarships, was the best investment he was making on 
 his estate. He warmly encouraged them to strengthen 
 amongst themselves the bonds of fraternal sympathy and 
 regard, and to do all in their power to maintain the 
 honour and credit of the Rodney Club. The President 
 did not on this occasion deliver any formal address, which 
 more correctly formed a portion of the proceedings for 
 their autumn meeting, when they would bid "good 
 cheer " to those who were going up to Rodney College. 
 Charlie Webster, however, gave them some valuable in- 
 formation, which he had gathered during his absence 
 
138 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 from England. Year by year did this little band increase 
 in numbers and in useful co-operation, always having the 
 Squire's advice prominently before them, as indicating 
 the land-marks of their union. 
 
 On their return that night Charlie Webster caught 
 sight of the "lucky hop-branch," which was preserved 
 in orthodox style as an ornament to the dining-room. 
 He naturally inquired whence it came, and what it was. 
 The circumstances under which it had been given to the 
 bride on her arrival at the Abbotts were explained, and 
 Jack informed him that the symbolic meaning — as he 
 had been given to understand it — was emblematic of 
 married life. 
 
 "In the Hop community," said Jack, "possibly for 
 reasons best known to themselves, the bachelors are 
 grouped on one set of plants, and the spinsters on 
 another set Occasionally a sport occurs, and both per- 
 suasions are found on the same branch, and it has been 
 called the 'lucky branch,' because of some supposed 
 charm being associated with its presentation to the newly 
 married couple. 
 
 "I wonder," said Charlie Webster, "if anybody will 
 pay my bride such a compliment as this." 
 
 "I wish, Charlie, you would give us the chance," said 
 Janet ; "we will do our best to secure one for her." 
 
 "Something strikes me," said Charlie, "we shall 
 want one for another member of our family before it 
 comes to be my turn. Mabel is greatly altered since I 
 left home, or else she is deeply in love. You are experi- 
 enced in that sort of thing, Janet, so I shall be glad to 
 have your opinion." 
 
 "You appear to be wonderfully quick in detecting 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 139 
 
 that sort of thing," said Janet, " as you are pleased to 
 call it." 
 
 " I was quick enough in your case to tell the Mater 
 before I left home for New Zealand, what I anticipated 
 would happen," rejoined Charlie, much to the surprise of 
 his host and hostess, "and I am jolly glad to find my 
 expectation realised." 
 
 On the following day Janet took her brother to see 
 the new cottages, and to show him how well Mary Murch 
 and Jane King succeeded with their dairy work. This part 
 of the new arrangement was found to be working very 
 satisfactorily. The sale of butter and milk was yielding 
 more profitable results than they had anticipated, and 
 some of the profits had already been saved by each of the 
 women, which, by Janet's advice, were paid into the 
 Government Savings Bank. In the management of their 
 gardens there was not an equal success shown, and Janet 
 formed the hope in her own mind, that she might be able 
 before very long to have a similar garden, somewhere 
 near the cottages, and have it managed as an example of 
 better cultivation. 
 
CHAPTEK XX. 
 
 Wrexborough had possessed for many years the advan- 
 tages of good science classes, and that had not only been the 
 means of promoting an acquaintance with science amongst 
 the rising generation in the town, but the influence was 
 felt over a much wider district. The various boarding- 
 schools in the town had, during the last two years, received 
 an unusual share of public support. Boys and girls re- 
 turning to their respective homes, carried with them 
 something more than the ordinary knowledge obtained 
 in schools, and were more than usually intelligent ; hence 
 they attracted other pupils, which made these schools 
 more prosperous than ever. This had in some measure 
 arisen from the action taken by the committee of the 
 Wrexborough Science Classes, in inviting the principals 
 of the several schools in that town to a private conference. 
 It was represented to them that by arranging for their 
 pupils to attend the Science Classes, they would not only 
 greatly benefit their pupils and teachers, but they would 
 also increase the utility of the usual school education, 
 and advance their own reputation by a class of teaching 
 well suited to the requirements of the times. The 
 suggestions were favourably received, the expectations 
 were fully realised in due course, and the Wrexborough 
 schools became somewhat proverbial for a sound and 
 very useful education. 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 141 
 
 The success which resulted was not entirely traceable 
 even to the attendance of the pupils at the science lec- 
 tures, but was greatly due to the manner in which those 
 lectures were supplemented by subsequent work. It was 
 not sufficient to command success that these boys and 
 girls should hear the lectures, and then rush off to other 
 duties or amusements, but where the lecturer's work 
 ended there that of the tutors began. On the return of 
 the pupils from a lecture, the first duty which followed 
 was the preparation of as full a record as possible of the 
 notes taken at the lecture, with any additions which then 
 occurred to the memory. At some convenient time 
 shortly afterwards, the school tutors examined the pupils 
 upon the subject of the lecture, correcting any erroneous 
 ideas, and impressing the main facts more fully upon 
 their minds. This addition to the school work had in 
 some cases led to the selection of assistant teachers, who 
 were not only good at general school work, but had 
 themselves made some progress in science. In fact, 
 ability in teaching science was distinctly recognised in 
 Wrexborough as valuable, and paid for accordingly. The 
 general issue was that the science lectures were largely 
 attended, and those who were being educated in the 
 schools of the town had the great advantage of supple- 
 mental instruction. 
 
 This state of affairs re-acted most favourably upon 
 Wyndham College. The district around had, in fact, 
 been undergoing a valuable preliminary treatment for 
 four or five years, and when the prospectus showing the 
 College work was issued, it soon became evident that the 
 public recognised the advantages it was calculated to 
 confer. The Lady Principal had a very busy time in 
 
142 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 responding to the many eager applicants for information, 
 but it carried with it a very satisfactory compensation, 
 for it was a good promise for success. Her demands 
 upon Annie Watkins were much more heavy than had 
 been anticipated, but these duties were cheerfully and 
 satisfactorily discharged. The Committee of Manage- 
 ment were much gratified at the now assured prospect of 
 success, and were greatly pleased at the improved appear- 
 ance of the house and grounds. Mr. Woodford had not 
 contented himself with having it simply put into repair, 
 but had directed Mr. Thompson to bear in mind the 
 name of the College, and have some additional work 
 done for improving its general appearance. 
 
 Charhe Webster had heard something of these pro- 
 ceedings in reference to WjTidham College, and Janet 
 promised herself the pleasure of driving him over to see 
 the institution, and to make the acquaintance of the 
 Lady Principal On their arrival at the College she was 
 about to introduce her brother, when she was surprised 
 to observe that they met each other as old friends, and 
 with much warmth of feeling. 
 
 '* It is very kind of you, Mr. Webster," said the Lady 
 Principal, " to come and see me in my new duties, and 
 thus give me an opportunity of thanking you for all your 
 kindness to me." 
 
 "I had no idea who was the Lady Principal," said 
 Charlie Webster, "and I really came over from the 
 Abbotts to see the College, never dreaming of seeing any 
 one I knew." 
 
 "Will you then permit me," said the Lady Principal, 
 " to thank you most sincerely for your kind help, and I 
 hope you will see by the position to which I have been 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 143 
 
 elected that your kindness has been valued, and made a 
 good use of." 
 
 "I can assure you," said Charlie Webster, "I am 
 exceedingly gratified, and I beg you to receive my con- 
 gratulations and best wishes for your future success." 
 
 "Excuse me," said Janet, "but if you are both 
 surprised, judge what is my astonishment to find that 
 my formal introduction has been rendered unneces- 
 sary by your being already well known to each other. 
 This is a mystery I should be very pleased to have ex- 
 plained." 
 
 "It is easily explained," said the Lady Principal, 
 " and it gives me great pleasure to do so. I was being 
 educated in Wrexborough, and I had the opportunity of 
 attending the course of Science lectures given by Mr. 
 Webster, nearly four years since. I succeeded in gaining 
 the Scholarship given at the end of that course of lec- 
 tures, and by the proceeds of that Scholarship Fund I 
 was enabled to carry on my studies in London with so 
 much success, that I was selected by your committee to 
 occupy my present responsible position." 
 
 " I remember hearing something of it at the time," 
 said Janet, "but I did not recollect the name of the 
 young lady who gained the Scholarship. If I had done 
 so, I should have looked upon your election with the 
 greater interest ; but you have the satisfaction of know- 
 ing that you were selected for your qualifications for the 
 ofiice. You must have held the 'Nil Desperandum' 
 Scholarship." 
 
 "Yes, that is so," said the Lady Principal. "But do 
 you know the donor of that Scholarship 1" 
 
 *' I cannot say I do not know the donor," said Janet, 
 
144 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 " but I have always understood that the donor wished to 
 remain unknown." 
 
 "Do you also know the donor, Mr. Webster T' 
 inquired the Lady Principal. 
 
 "I have some little knowledge of the donor," said 
 Charlie Webster. 
 
 "I have only one reason for wishing to know *Nil 
 Desperandum,'" said the Lady Principal, "for I should 
 hke to thank him, and show him that his kindness has 
 been valued." 
 
 "I will take care the donor is so informed," said 
 Janet, "but it is scarcely necessary for me to do so, as I 
 know he takes a great interest in your welfare." 
 
 An inspection of the College took place, and the 
 progress of the arrangements was highly satisfactory. 
 A short conversation passed between Janet and Annie 
 Watkins as they met in the College, but it embodied 
 words of the deepest gratitude for the rescue of her sister, 
 who had now reached her mother's home, and was most 
 anxious to see Janet. After taking farewell of the Lady 
 Principal, they drove homewards by the way of the 
 Manor House Farm, where Janet saw Clara Watkins. 
 She was greatly changed in manner and appearance, in 
 some respects decidedly for the better, but in her mind 
 and feelings there had been the greatest change. After 
 thanking Janet for all she had done for her, she ex- 
 pressed her anxiety to know what could be done for her 
 future occupation. Janet outlined to her what had 
 occurred to her own mind, and left her to give the 
 matter a full and careful consideration. The proposal 
 was that she should enter a College for the Training of 
 Female Medical Students and Nurses, and take a regular 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 145 
 
 course of preparation so as to prepare herself for a good 
 and remunerative position, when she became qualified to 
 do so. A few days after this interview, some financial 
 difficulties having been surmounted, it was arranged that 
 Clara Watkins should adopt this course, and with Janet's 
 kind help she was shortly able to leave the Manor House 
 Farm, highly gratified with the career of usefulness and 
 profitable occupation which had been opened up for her. 
 
 The position of affairs at the Manor House Farm, 
 with all the neighbourly care shown by Jack, was daily 
 becoming more and more critical, and it ultimately ended 
 in Mrs. Watkins coming to the conclusion that it was 
 desirable for her to give up the farm. A careful examin- 
 ation of the accounts led to the expectation that the 
 liabilities could be provided for, and leave a moderate 
 surplus. Her anxiety about her daughters had been 
 removed, for both of them were so situated, that whether 
 they married or not, they would be able to support them- 
 selves in comfort, and it therefore only remained for her 
 to secure for herself some means of support, which the 
 embarrassed condition of the farm was not likely to 
 provide. She therefore informed Mr. Thompson of her 
 intention of giving up the farm, and of her desire to 
 transfer her occupation to some tenant approved of by 
 Mr. Woodford. 
 
 An offer of the Manor House Farm having been made 
 to Charlie Webster, he consulted Mr. Holmes and Jack, 
 and, after a very careful inspection of the farm, nego- 
 tiations were entered into which ended in his being 
 accepted as the tenant. Great was the satisfaction felt 
 by all, that he had decided to settle down in a neigh- 
 bourhood in which he was well known, and where he 
 
 L 
 
146 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 would be near his sister, and his college companion, her 
 husband. 
 
 Letters received at the Abbotts from Edinburgh in- 
 formed them that Professor Nicholson had paid a visit 
 to Mrs. Webster in his vacation tour, and that after a 
 few days he was coming to the Abbotts to spend a short 
 time with them. Eight glad were they to welcome him, 
 and he informed them that it had been decided to estab- 
 Hsh additional accommodation for students attending 
 Kodney College, and he had been asked to take the 
 responsible oversight of this new section of the work. 
 For some time past the Principal had been obliged to 
 refuse many applicants for admission, but he had now 
 secured a large residence near the college for the accom- 
 modation of additional students, and Professor Nicholson 
 had been chosen to take its management. 
 
 " Of course you will accept it," said Jack. 
 
 " I wish to do so," said Professor Nicholson, " but it 
 will not do for a bachelor. I can only accept it if some 
 one else will accept me, and I have expressed my wishes 
 in this respect in passing through Edinburgh. Some 
 delay must unavoidably arise in receiving the decision, 
 and I cannot await that decision amongst truer friends 
 than yourselves." 
 
 " I can generally form a good notion of this sort of 
 thing," said Charlie Webster, " and it strikes me you'll 
 undertake the duty without much delay." 
 
 A few days removed all doubt, for Professor 
 Nicholson's offer was accepted in due form by Mabel 
 Webster, and he was cordially congratulated by the 
 family group at the Abbotts. He accepted the position 
 oflfered, and the wedding was fixed for the month of 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 147 
 
 August, as he had to be in residence before the end of 
 September. 
 
 The time was now approaching for the reception of 
 the students in Wyndham College. The applications 
 for admission had been more numerous than had been 
 anticipated, and there were entries already made for thirty- 
 six pupils, so that it left no room to doubt as to its early 
 success. The session was to be commenced on the 1st 
 of September, and it was decided that the formal open- 
 ing should take place on the 3d of that month. 
 
 If a work well begun may be considered as half 
 finished, this was indeed a time for much satisfaction in 
 the minds of those, who had exerted themselves in estab- 
 lishing Wyndham College for the better education of 
 females. They had clearly recognised the truth, that 
 good education for farmers' sons must be in some respects 
 unsatisfactory and incomplete, unless something equally 
 good has been provided for their daughters, and there 
 was every reason to believe that Janet had indicated a 
 course of procedure which successfully secured this re- 
 quirement. 
 
CHAPTER XXL 
 
 The importance of promoting the practical education of 
 females, whilst generally acknowledged as most desirable, 
 had long needed some suitable institution in which it 
 could be properly carried out. The establishment of 
 Wyndham College had this object distinctly in view, and 
 the day appointed for its formal opening was looked 
 forward to in Wrexborough with much interest. A 
 committee of the townspeople was formed to organise 
 arrangements suitable for the occasion. It was ultimately 
 decided that as there was no Horticultural or Cottagers' 
 Show for that immediate neighbourhood, that want should 
 be forthwith supplied, and that the local Show of Dairy 
 Produce should take place at the same time. Permission 
 was cheerfully given for the show to be held on the grounds 
 in front of the College, and the gathering which took 
 place on the 3d of September was in every way most 
 gratifying. Three large tents had been erected on the 
 lawn, one of which was devoted to Garden Produce, a 
 second to Dairy Produce, and the third was used for a 
 Bee Exhibition. As soon as the grounds were opened, 
 the tents being still reserved for the judges, a visit to the 
 College was the first attraction for the visitors. Here 
 they were received by the Committee of Management, 
 and the Lady Principal with her assistants and pupils. 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 149 
 
 As soon as there was a goodly gathering of visitors 
 assembled in the dining-hall, Mrs. Woodford said, 
 
 "It affords me great pleasure to discharge the duty 
 deputed to me by the Committee of Management, to de- 
 clare this College formally opened for promoting the in- 
 struction of females for the better performance of their 
 duties in life. I trust you will excuse my saying that I 
 value very highly the privilege of having my maiden 
 name associated with an institution, which I hope may 
 long be of priceless value to this neighbourhood. I will 
 now call upon Dr. Whichcord, who has taken a very 
 active part in its establishment, to explain to you, more 
 fully than I can, the objects for which Wyndham College 
 has been founded." 
 
 "There are two reasons," said Dr. Whichcord, "why 
 we need such an institution as Wyndham College. There 
 is one which I may describe as the economic inducement, 
 and the other is its social importance. Everyday obser\'a- 
 tion has a tendency to impress all thoughtful minds with 
 the fact, that matters of health and expenditure are 
 greatly under the control of female influence, in the ad- 
 ministration of the household affairs of every-day life. 
 The man who has the priceless blessing of a provident 
 and intelligent wife, knows from happy experience that 
 his home may be rendered a scene of comfort, whilst his 
 expenditure may be prudently economised. But it often 
 happens that the duties of home extend beyond even 
 these important matters, influencing as they do health, 
 comfort, and economy. And in such cases it becomes a 
 portion of a wife's duty to aid her husband in his business. 
 This is especially the case on some farms, the successful 
 management of the dairy and the poultry-yard making 
 
150 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 all the difference between such occupations being a source 
 of profit, or a cause of loss. Looking at these matters 
 from a common-sense point of view, it will be evident 
 that a familiar and intelligent knowledge of these duties 
 will materially promote good management on the part of 
 the wife. If tre look at the social bearings of the case, 
 we find equal claims for this important work. Men who 
 have been properly educated for their duties in life, 
 naturally select for their permanent associates, ladies who 
 add to their other charms, a general intelligence which 
 enables them to sympathise with, and assist them in, the 
 performance of their duties. It is to aid in this work, 
 and to give facilities for the attainment of this knowledge, 
 that Wyndham College has been established, and I am 
 sure you will all join me in wishing it every success. 
 Our thanks are due to Mrs. Woodford and the ladies of 
 the Committee of Management, for so kindly aiding for- 
 ward the work we have in hand, and they were especially 
 due to Mrs. John Holmes, to whom we are indebted for 
 originating the general scheme you now see so fully de- 
 veloped in the establishment of Wyndham College." 
 
 The Lady Principal then divided the assistants and 
 pupils into two groups, so that attention might be given 
 to visitors in the inspection of the College, whilst each 
 group should alternately have an opportunity for making a 
 thorough examination of the show. The Garden Produce 
 exhibited for prizes was shown in full quantity, but the 
 quality was far from being as good as it might have been, 
 and this was rendered the more striking, by the exhibition 
 of extra specimens sent from the gardens of some gentle- 
 men in the neighbourhood. This, however, tended to 
 show the urgent necessity for such exhibitions, and it 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 151 
 
 stimulated the committee to determine upon an annual 
 competition amongst the cottagers of the district. Hence 
 many of the cottagers, in making an inspection of the 
 garden produce, were calculating upon showing something 
 better in the following year. 
 
 The show of Dairy Produce, having been held in 
 Wrexborough for several preceding years, was by no 
 means a novelty. The competition was consequently very 
 much greater, and it may be stated that the general 
 character of the exhibits would have done credit to larger 
 and more important gatherings. The chief novelty was 
 the exhibition of butter made by cottagers, for the 
 samples sent by the labourers' wives on the Abbotts 
 Farm were difficult to beat, and were commended. 
 
 The greatest interest was undoubtedly centred in the 
 Bee Exhibition, which, thanks to the kind co-operation of 
 the British Bee-keepers' Association, was rendered a most 
 attractive and instructive portion of the show. A large 
 assortment of hives and much bee-furniture were ex- 
 hibited, together with numerous samples of honey and 
 wax. A specimen of the hives used upon the Hampshire 
 Bee Farm attracted much attention, as also the simple 
 but ingenious plan of economising the labour of the 
 bees, by introducing cells ready for use. The most in- 
 teresting and exciting feature of the show was that 
 of driving out the bees, and the re-capture of the queen- 
 bee. The means for superseding the ordinary mode of 
 destroying the swarms was explained, and the clever but 
 simple arrangements for extracting honey without injur- 
 ing the cells, were shown in operation. 
 
 The exhibition was generally speaking a great success, 
 and was especially interesting in its associations with the 
 
152 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 work about to be commenced in Wyndham College. A 
 select party was invited by the College Committee of 
 Management to an entertainment at the Assembly Rooms 
 on the evening of the day, to meet the Lady Principal, 
 with her assistants and pupils. The Committee did all in 
 their power to render the evening agreeable and enter- 
 taining. They clearly recognised the fact, that there 
 was no advantage to be gained by the pupils entering 
 upon their studies with minds overclouded with anxiety 
 and care, whilst a cheerful and agreeable introduction to 
 work was calculated to promote its success. The pro- 
 ceedings of the day were then brought to a thoroughly 
 happy conclusion, and the College work commenced, 
 under very encouraging auspices. 
 
 It was quite natural that Janet and her brother 
 Charlie Webster, should be present at the opening of 
 Wyndham College and its associated festivities, but busi- 
 ness engagements rendered it desirable for her husband 
 to be represented by a deputy. 
 
 " Well, Jack," said Charlie Webster, on their return 
 home, "everything has gone off splendidly, and they 
 have thanked Janet no end for her share in the work." 
 
 "She thoroughly deserves all their thanks," said 
 Jack, " and I tell you what it is, CharUe, I am quite 
 proud of her. But, tiuning to business matters, the 
 valuers called round this evening to say, that you will be 
 able to enter upon the occupation of the Manor House 
 Farm before the end of the week," 
 
 "All right," said Charhe, "another day's hoHday, 
 and then I am in for work again. This will do very 
 well, for I want Janet to take me over to Wyndham 
 College in the morning. I have asked a gentleman who 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. » 153 
 
 is up here for the show, and who evidently understands 
 all about bees, to explain these matters fully to them, as 
 this will be better than anything which could possibly be 
 done in the bustle of the show to-day." 
 
 On the following morning the Lady Principal and 
 her pupils had a quiet inspection of the various appliances 
 used in conection with bees. This enabled a more 
 complete acquaintance to be formed respecting the 
 working details, especially as a most interesting explana- 
 tion was given of the habits and customs of the bee 
 community. It was a source of great satisfaction to all, 
 when it became known that the necessary arrangements 
 had been completed for a series of hives to be forthwith 
 fixed in the College garden. For this present they were 
 indebted to Charlie Webster, and he explained to the 
 Lady Principal that his object in doing so, was to place 
 before the young ladies under her care, a good type of 
 industry, skill, and profitable work. 
 
 It may be as well at this stage to notice the system 
 of education which had been decided upon for Wyndham 
 College, and the general arrangements for tuition. The 
 Lady Principal was in full and responsible charge of the 
 institution and all persons resident in the College. She 
 also exercised a general oversight of the work done, and 
 regulated its conduct. She was assisted in her duties by 
 a thoroughly competent matron, Mrs. Arnold, who 
 superintended the domestic duties of the house, and gave 
 practical instruction on various classes of work. Miss 
 Browne, who had been trained and certificated in Cookery 
 and Domestie Economy, was selected to assist the Lady 
 Principal, as a Science Tutor. There were also four 
 pupil-assistants, each having nine pupils under her charge. 
 
154 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 A cook, housemaid, and two young servant girls com- 
 pleted the indoor establishment. A very respectable 
 man, Thomas Jones, and his wife resided in the Lodge, 
 taking charge of the gardens and the cows. The duties 
 of the College commenced at nine o'clock in the morning, 
 and about three hours were devoted to practical work, 
 whilst the same length of time was given up for lectures 
 and class work in the afternoon of the day. 
 
 The entire course of instruction included three dis- 
 tinct sections — the domestic, the economic, and the 
 sanitary departments. At the commencement it was 
 necessary for all to enter the first of these sections — the 
 domestic. The course of study comprised lectures upon 
 Chemistry and Vegetable Physiology, which were de- 
 livered by masters in the Science Schools in Wrexborough, 
 and these were supplemented^by a careful record of notes 
 and class tuition in the College. Lectures were given 
 in the College by the Lady Principal and Miss Browne, 
 upon Physical Science, Food, Cookery, and Domestic 
 Science. The practical work embodied instruction in 
 household work of various kinds, every domestic duty 
 receiving in its turn careful attention. It was, however, 
 clearly recognised that recreation and bodily exercise 
 were desirable as a counterbalance to study and duty. 
 A convenient gymnasium had been provided, and a 
 regular drill was carried out under the direction of 
 Madame Latude, a lady specially skilled in their conduct. 
 Music and dancing were by no means overlooked, whilst 
 facilities were given for the study of French and German. 
 In fact, the evenings were rendered as cheerful and as 
 agreeable as possible, the work then done being entirely 
 of a voluntary character. This general course of College 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 155 
 
 work was arranged to be continued through the winter 
 and spring months, — excepting, of course, during a 
 Christmas vacation — by which time it was anticipated 
 that with fair dihgence the pupils would have qualified 
 out of the domestic section, by securing the necessary 
 certificates of competency. 
 
 Janet had previously taken an opportunity of con- 
 versing with the Lady Principal and Mrs. Arnold, respect- 
 ing the old-fashioned plan of taking young girls as 
 apprentices for household work. It is true that the 
 custom had long been discontinued, but it was shown to 
 have been successful and satisfactory when it was adopted. 
 Female servants thus engaged, when they were fairly 
 treated, very generally became permanently attached to 
 the household, and were noted for their fidelity to their 
 employers. Upon consultation it appeared to be more 
 than ever desirable to introduce the system into Wynd- 
 ham College, as the successful working of the system 
 there, promised to revive the custom amongst the friends 
 of the pupils, and be subsequently adopted by themselves 
 as they undertook household management. As it had 
 been decided that two young girls were to be taken as 
 under-servants in the College, arrangements were made 
 for Janet to select two suitable girls. The standard of 
 wages and general terms arranged by Janet for George 
 Moore's son, had made many of the labourers who had heard 
 of it anxious to adopt the same system for their children, 
 provided they could secure good and kind employers. 
 The approval of the Committee of Management was 
 given to the arrangements, special agreements were 
 entered into to meet the necessities of the case, and the 
 two girls became apprentices, for a period of seven years, 
 
156 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 to the Lady Principal and the Matron of the College 
 conjointly. Both of these girls had been educated in 
 the National School at Leaside, the one, aged thirteen 
 years, being a daughter of Thomas Hutton, a workman 
 employed at the Abbotts; the other was a daughter of one 
 of the men at the Holt, and was a year older. They were 
 to be fed, clothed, and taken care of for seven years; 
 the wages agreed for, were £1 for the first and second 
 years, £2 for the third year, £S for the fourth year, £5 
 for the fifth year, £7 for the sixth year, and £9 for the 
 seventh year. Thus each of these girls would become 
 thoroughly trained servants, and at the expiration of 
 their time of apprenticeship each might have £28 in the 
 Savings Bank. 
 
CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 The arrangements having been completed for Charlie 
 Webster to take possession of the Manor House Farm, 
 Mrs. Webster sent Jessie Forbes — a staid and matronly 
 woman, who had long been a confidential servant in the 
 family — to act as housekeeper, and take charge of his 
 bachelor establishment. It was a great satisfaction to 
 Janet to have her brother occupying the adjoining farm, 
 and they hoped this would be an additional inducement 
 to Mrs. Webster, to spend some portion of her time with 
 them in each succeeding year. 
 
 The autumn meeting of the Rodney Club took place 
 in due course, and Jack, as President, delivered the 
 annual address to the members. The subject which was 
 most prominently urged, was the advisability of estab- 
 lishing a Chamber of Agriculture in Wrexborough. In 
 consequence of this address, measures were adopted for 
 bringing the proposal under the notice of the farmers of 
 the surrounding district. Mr. Woodford kindly consented 
 to preside at a meeting to be called in Wrexborough, and 
 a copy of the address was sent with each invitation to 
 the Conference. A large gathering took place at the 
 appointed time, the proposal was well received, and a 
 considerable number were at once enrolled as members, 
 Jack being invited to act as Honorary Secretary. 
 
158 THE ABBOTTS FAKM. 
 
 The month of October had not far advanced when 
 Mrs. Webster paid a visit to the Abbotts, and this was 
 the more satisfactory to Janet, as she now desired to be 
 assisted for a time in her domestic duties. She was also 
 anxious that the monthly working meetings for the wives 
 of the labourers, should be recommenced according to 
 the promise given when these meetings terminated in 
 the spring. It was a great pleasure to the women to 
 recommence these useful gatherings, and we may be 
 sure that under the more experienced care of Mrs. 
 Webster, the daughter's absence was fully compensated 
 for. As the women were preparing to leave their first 
 meeting, Ann Oliver said to Mrs. Webster, 
 
 "I have often heard that daughters be very much 
 what their mothers make 'm, and I'm sure our young 
 missus do credit to you, ma'am. She have been real 
 good to us since she came here, and she have helped us 
 'bove a bit." 
 
 "I think," said Mrs. Webster, "there is a good deal 
 of truth in what you say, but you must remember this 
 in your own families. Be assured that children learn 
 from their mothers much earHer than is generally sus- 
 pected. Any bad example, by word or action, gives 
 them a lesson which is quickly fixed on their minds. 
 Have you ever seen a person's likeness taken as a photo- 
 graph 1 Well, then, you know there is a box before you 
 with two glasses, like two large eyes looking at you, and 
 behind these the likeness may be seen, and it is printed 
 on paper. If you smile, or if you frown, the picture is 
 taken accordingly. You understand that Well, now, 
 I want to tell you of something very much like it Have 
 you ever seen a little child fixing its eyes, and looking 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 159 
 
 with all its power at an angry mother 1 That child was 
 really taking a picture on its little brain. So day by 
 day does it continue to take more of these pictures of 
 what it sees, and by these impressions upon the mind, 
 that child's life is influenced for good or for evil. Do 
 let them have as many good and happy pictures as pos- 
 sible. Yes, you say very truly, that daughters are very 
 much what their mothers make them." 
 
 Whilst this was proceeding at the Abbotts, the 
 gentlemen were engaged on their business in the Wrex- 
 borough Chamber of Agriculture. Mr. Woodford was 
 elected President, and accepted the position. The Hon. 
 Secretary then proposed that this Chamber should forth- 
 with enter into association with the Central Chamber of 
 Agriculture. He represented to the members, that how- 
 ever desirable it might be to establish Local Chambers 
 for mutual consultation, and for the discussion of matters 
 affecting their interests as farmers, it was still more 
 desirable that they should be associated with similar 
 Chambers in other districts, for it was only by united 
 action that they acquired power to protect those in- 
 terests. In the one case their Chamber would repre- 
 sent an isolated link, whilst by this union they would 
 add strength to a powerful chain. The members were 
 unanimously in favour of becoming an affiliated Chamber, 
 and authorised an application to be made accordingly to 
 the Central Chamber of Agriculture. 
 
 This having been settled satisfactorily, he proposed 
 the appointment of an Education Committee, saying, 
 
 " My reason for asking you to appoint an Education 
 Committee, is in consequence of my being fully persuaded 
 of the many advantages arising from young farmers being 
 
160 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 thoroughly well trained for their business, and I believe 
 this Chamber can help them greatly. I feel that, con- 
 sidering the help which has been given to me in Wrex- 
 borough, and the advantages I have gained thereby, it 
 is a duty devolving upon me to help others in return. 
 Such a committee as I propose, will be able to do much 
 good work throughout the district from which this 
 Chamber draws its members, and I hope my proposal 
 will receive your approval." 
 
 This proposition was adopted with much enthusiasm, 
 and a Committee of six was formed. Jack then secured 
 the co-operation of Charlie Webster, Mr. Thompson, and 
 three other farmers, on whose sympathy in the work he 
 could rely. At the following meeting of the Chamber, 
 a communication from the Central Chamber of Agricul- 
 ture was read, informing the members that their local 
 Chamber had been duly affiliated, and the President was 
 thereupon deputed to attend the Central Chamber in 
 London. As soon as Jack had secured the Education 
 Committee, he set himself to work to obtain information 
 as to the requirements of the district, and the means at 
 command. He was then enabled to lay before the 
 Committee the following facts : — In the Wrexborough 
 district there were four other market towns, and in each 
 of these there was a Grammar School, primarily intended 
 for giving a liberal education to youths of the middle 
 class. The endowments belonging to these four schools 
 ranged from £700 down to £300 a year, and showed a 
 total endowment of fully £2000 a year, but the system 
 of education in each and all being pre-eminently classical, 
 with some mathematics, commanded only a limited 
 number of pupils. In fact, either one of these schools 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 161 
 
 could have conveniently carried out the education of all 
 the pupils in the four schools. It appeared that the sons of 
 farmers \vere the least numerous class in the schools, and 
 that they invariably left these schools very early, some 
 to proceed to better schools, and others to return to their 
 fathers' farms. One reason appeared to influence each 
 and all alike, and that was the lack of instruction useful 
 for helping them in learning farming and the business 
 duties of life. In none of these four market towns had 
 any attempt been made to establish Science Classes. 
 These facts being placed before the Committee, the follow- 
 ing report was presented to the Wrexborough Chamber 
 of Agriculture : — 
 
 "Your Education Committee, having had their at- 
 tention drawn to the educational facilities existing in 
 the district occupied by your Chamber, have to report 
 that there are endowments existing in connection with 
 four Grammar Schools within that district, amounting 
 to more than £2000 a year; but the character of the 
 tuition given would be greatly improved if it were 
 supplemented by instruction in science. They therefore 
 recommend to the Chamber that the Governors of these 
 schools be communicated with, suggesting that some 
 effort should be made to introduce a more modern system 
 of instruction, by providing in each of these schools a 
 master whose especial duty it shall be to give instruction 
 in Natural Science. Your Committee further recommend 
 that some of the members residing in the immediate 
 neighbourhood of each of these market towns, should 
 organise themselves so as to form Local Science Class 
 Committees for these towns. The two science masters 
 at present- engaged in Wrexborough have expressed a 
 
 M 
 
162 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 willingness to commence classes in any of these towns as 
 soon as such committees are formed — where help may be 
 needed — and your Education Committee will gladly 
 render any assistance, in securing the advantages which 
 are offered by the Government Department of Science." 
 
 The Eeport was adopted by the Chamber, and, as 
 soon as the recommendations were being carried out, it 
 was discovered that the majority of the Governors of each 
 of these Grammar Schools, were persons having strong 
 sympathies with the tenantry of the neighbourhood, and 
 on application being made to them they were fully pre- 
 pared to act justly towards them. The Chamber subse- 
 quently received numerous expressions of sympathy for 
 the object in view, and referred the matter again to the 
 Education Committee to utilise the friendly assistance 
 which had been promised. 
 
 Christmastide at the Abbotts was this year more than 
 usually pleasant and cheerful, for two events rendered 
 it exceptionally festive. A hearty welcome was then 
 given to Professor Nicholson and his bride, and as a son 
 and heir had been added to Jack's family, there was just 
 cause for the occasion being duly honoured. 
 
 • Little if any change had been made during the past 
 year in Jack's system of farming, but in the social circle 
 of the farm some important alterations had been intro- 
 duced. The son of George Moore, the shepherd at the 
 Holt, had now been apprenticed about one year, and 
 thus far the experiment had answered remarkably well. 
 Bill had been a good lad; he had kept to his resolve 
 to put his wages into the Savings Bank, and we can 
 well imderstand his feelings of honourable pride when 
 he received the first sovereign he ever possessed, and 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 163 
 
 carried it to the Savings Bank, and brought back to 
 Janet his little bank-book. The fact of the experiment 
 having been successful, naturally raised the question as 
 to whether it should be extended or not. There were 
 many advantages arising from having a lad in the house, 
 but it was open to doubt whether a second could be 
 conveniently received. It was at length decided that a 
 second apprentice should be taken, and that Bill should 
 be lodged with Charles King, the shepherd, who should 
 receive five shillings weekly for his board and lodging 
 during the coming year. Janet took upon herself to 
 explain to Bill Moore, that it was desirable for him to 
 go and live with the shepherd, and prepare himself for 
 being a good workman, especially as he was going to 
 help the shepherd in his work. There were several lads 
 who were anxious to be taken on as apprentices, but it 
 was considered undesirable to select any of the sons of 
 the workmen on the farm. This determined the choice 
 in favour of Edward Gower, whose parents lived about 
 four miles off. 
 
 In another respect the new arrangements of the past 
 year had worked satisfactorily. Thomas Murch and 
 Charles King had found the opportunity of keeping a 
 cow much more advantageous than they had ever antici- 
 pated. To have money in the Savings Bank, a good 
 supply of bacon and vegetables for winter use, and the 
 prospect of each having a cow of his own, these were 
 novel but exceedingly desirable additions to better food 
 and happier homes. Master and men were alike grati- 
 fied with such results, more especially as they had been 
 secured by well-earned money, each having had full 
 value received for all the payments he had made. 
 
CHAPTEE XXIII. 
 
 The Education Committee steadily persevered with their 
 appointed duties, and were greatly encouraged by the 
 progress they were able to make. The Governors of 
 one Grammar School promptly decided to appoint a 
 Science Master, who was qualified under the Government 
 department of Science, for teaching Chemistry, Vegetable 
 and Animal Physiology, and the Principles of Agricul- 
 ture. They arranged to give a salary of £80 a year for 
 two hours' work on four days in each week, and leave 
 him free to lecture to Science Classes in the town upon 
 these or other science subjects. The Governors had a 
 two-fold reason for adopting this course, for they were 
 only justified in expending the revenues of the school for 
 the performance of school work, — but they set the Master 
 free when those duties were performed, so that he might 
 aid others outside the school, and at the same time com- 
 plete his income. This was an arrangement which fully 
 met the views of the Education Committee, and they 
 organised a local committee in that town to assist in the 
 work. In another market town the Governors agreed to 
 appoint a Science Master, but his time was to be given 
 entirely to the school. In the case of the two other 
 Grammar Schools, the Governors decided to postpone 
 taking action in the matter, until they saw the results 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 165 
 
 arising in the other schools which had adopted the pro- 
 posal Nothing daunted by a want of more general 
 success, the Education Committee secured the formation 
 of the necessary local committees, and by these the 
 duties of instruction in science were entrusted to the 
 Science Masters residing in Wrexborough, who agreed 
 to pay regular visits to these towns. The Education 
 Committee were thus enabled to report to the Wrex- 
 borough Chamber of Agriculture a somewhat satisfactory, 
 but still incomplete, accomplishment of their plans, for 
 the adoption of the Government system for instruction 
 in science in their district. 
 
 The presence of Mrs. Webster at the Abbotts had 
 greatly facilitated the monthly working meetings of the 
 labourers' wives, and the general issue was a clearer 
 knowledge of the means for making their homes more 
 comfortable, and aided the judicious use of their husbands' 
 wages in good and wholesome food. It cannot be denied 
 that Mary Murch and Jane King were in possession of 
 advantages, which were not within the reach of other 
 women who did not live on the farm. At the same time, 
 it was well known that there were but two cottages on 
 the farm, and that only two of the workmen could be so 
 accommodated ; hence these famihes were looked upon as 
 wonderfully lucky, and others hoped that the time would 
 come when they might have the same advantages. In 
 the transfer of the Manor House Farm from Mrs. Wat- 
 kins to Charlie Webster, an off-lying lot of about twenty 
 acres of grass land, which adjoined the Abbotts, was 
 added to Jack's occupation. He calculated that at some 
 future time, he would have two cottages built on that 
 side of the farm. On careful consideration he decided 
 
166 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 that of the six cottages which the landlord had agreed to 
 build, he would have two built during the next summer 
 somewhere rather nearer the homestead. The site of 
 these having been settled, arrangements were made for 
 carrying out Janet's wish to have a garden cultivated as 
 an example, by which others might improve their own 
 system of management. 
 
 The growth of seed-corn and other farm seeds had 
 been a most important feature in Jack's system of farm- 
 ing, and he found it necessary to have some better assist- 
 ance in the work than any of his own labourers could 
 render. He therefore determined to reserve one of the 
 new cottages for an intelligent Scotchman, who had 
 experience in that class of work, and who had been 
 recommended to him by his friend Walrond, Donald 
 Macpherson had the misfortune to be a widower, and 
 here an unexpected difficulty arose, for, good and useful 
 man as he was, he could scarcely be expected to grapple 
 with the cares of a house. He, however, seemed in no 
 way anxious about the matter, and as the house was not 
 yet built, it was arranged that he should reside for a time 
 in the shepherd's cottage. Janet was exceedingly hopeful 
 that Donald would prove to be clever in the way of garden- 
 ing, and, if so, he would probably supply the example she 
 so much desired. In this respect she was not disappointed, 
 and it was therefore arranged that the garden should be 
 placed at his disposal forthwith. Donald was unques- 
 tionably a workman of a very superior class, and of 
 more than usual shrewdness ; in fact, he had a habit of 
 informing himself, by some means or other, on those 
 matters in which he found his own practical knowledge 
 to be somewhat too limited. He felt complimented that 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 167 
 
 Janet had such expectations of his success in gardening, 
 and he took good care to justify those hopes. He had 
 received an education considerably in advance of any 
 workman on the farm, and he looked upon the current 
 agricultural news of the day with much interest. Jack, 
 finding this out, was in the habit of lending him one of 
 his newspapers, and Donald would read some of the more 
 interesting portions to the shepherd, when he returned 
 home in the evening. The fact of his reading the 
 master's newspaper was soon known amongst the men 
 on the farm, and they gradually looked up to him as an 
 authority. He was not any the greater favourite amongst 
 the men for this reason, for they could not fail to feel 
 that he had the advantage of them in many respects ; but 
 he was far too prudent a man to press his advantage 
 with severity. His residence in the shepherd's cottage 
 was a great advantage to young Bill Moore, and night 
 after night did the lad listen with deep attention to 
 the information Donald was ever ready to impart. As 
 soon as Janet heard of the encouragement thus given to 
 the lad to read for himself, she selected a few interesting 
 and instructive books, and set these aside as the com- 
 mencement of a small library for the use of persons on 
 the farm. For some time Donald and Bill were the 
 only out-door readers, but they subsequently increased in 
 numbers to a small extent. The influence which had 
 been exerted by Donald, showed very clearly that his 
 agency might be still more extensively utilised, and those 
 who had the direction of affairs on the Abbotts Farm 
 fully realised the fact. 
 
 The Committee of Management for Wyndham Col- 
 lege did not hold frequent meetings, for they recognised 
 
168 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 the truth that "too many cooks spoil the broth." Mrs. 
 Duckworth had been deputed to act as visitor for the 
 first collegiate year, and the Committee simply awaited 
 her call when necessity arose. With the end of March 
 the work of the domestic section was brought to a close, 
 and the final examinations took place early in April. 
 This marked the first stage in the College course of in- 
 struction, and the manner in which those examinations 
 were passed, reflected great credit upon the teachers and 
 the pupils. Of the thirty-six pupils who entered, twenty- 
 eight obtained certificates showing various degrees of 
 merit, but eight failed to give satisfactory evidence of 
 efficiency. The unsuccessful pupils had therefore to con- 
 tinue their work and studies in this section, so as to pre- 
 pare for another opportunity for passing in the examina- 
 tions, which were to take place three months later on. 
 The Committee of Management met shortly before the 
 examinations took place, and at their termination, when 
 the pupils were preparing to leave for a week's holiday. 
 A very marked improvement was observable in the 
 general appearance of the pupils, much of which- was due 
 to regularity in food and exercise, whilst the gymnasium 
 and drill contributed greatly in the same direction. 
 These exercises had already made a marked alteration 
 in the general build and figures of these young ladies ; 
 for there is no such opponent of tight-lacing and small 
 waists as the gymnasium. Mental improvement and 
 muscular development had gone hand in hand, and, with 
 very few exceptions, the group were in the highest con- 
 dition of health and spirits. One might be pardoned for 
 assuming, from what we see in everyday life, that boys 
 and girls are so differently constituted, that the condi- 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 169 
 
 tions of healthy growth are in no respect similar ; but a 
 proper development of the muscles is equally necessary 
 in each case. The Lady Principal fully recognised this 
 fact, and, alike by precept and example, urged this 
 common-sense view of the case, upon the ladies of the 
 College. 
 
 The work of the second section of the College course 
 of instruction — the economic department — differed in 
 many respects from its predecessor. The lectures upon 
 Chemistry and Vegetable Physiology, which were now 
 drawing to a close, constituted a valuable foundation for 
 the study of various economic pursuits. The Committee 
 and many invited friends, were present with the Lady 
 Principal and her pupils, when Mr. Charles Webster 
 delivered the inaugural address upon the work of this 
 section, and the following is an abbreviated report : — 
 
 " I cheerfully avail myself of the privilege of address- 
 ing you in reference to the subjects embodied in the 
 economic department of this College, because I am deeply 
 impressed with its importance to each and all of us. 
 Some of you know that I have long interested myself in 
 female education, but since I last had the pleasure of 
 residing near this town, I have travelled round the world 
 and seen many new faces ; but the more I have seen the 
 more I have been satisfied, that the ladies of England 
 possess many points of character in which they are un- 
 equalled, but they have deficiencies which are truly 
 lamentable. Whatever may be the cause I do not now 
 stay to notice, but I congratulate you that, so far as you 
 are concerned, Wyndham College is ready to remedy 
 those deficiencies to which I have referred. Nowhere 
 have I observed greater efi'orts being made for the techni- 
 
170 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 cal education of girls than in the United States of 
 America, and I am bound to say it makes me feel greatly 
 disappointed, to find that we are so much behind our 
 cousins over the water. I am glad to learn that at least 
 five distinct subjects will be taught in the economic de- 
 partment of the College, namely, the Management of the 
 Dairy, the Garden, Bees, Poultry, and Fruit. With all 
 my prejudice in favour of England — and I admit it is 
 great — I am boxmd to acknowledge that in each and all 
 of these subjects they are decidedly in advance of us in 
 the States, and they set us an example which we may 
 follow with great advantage. I think the Committee of 
 Management have acted with great prudence in securing 
 the assistance of Miss Welton, who has been educated in 
 the Illinois Industrial University, and having gained their 
 highest certificates, has since taken a regular course of 
 tuition in one of the best Dairy Schools in the States. 
 
 "You will find your studies since you entered this 
 College, an excellent preparation for the work of this 
 section. By the practical training of this department, 
 you will acquire information which will enable each of 
 you to have profitable occupations at your command. 
 You will have the satisfaction of knowing that whether 
 you remain single through life, or have household cares 
 devolving upon you, you will in either case be useful and 
 valuable members of society ; able — should necessity 
 arise — to secure for yourselves profitable occupations, or 
 assist some one else to make the home happy. As you 
 will be under many obligations to the Illinois Industrial 
 University for an able teacher, let me tell you that I had 
 the pleasure of visiting that Institution. I can only say, 
 we should be more than proud, if we had such another 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 171 
 
 in this country. Let me now inform you what the 
 Trustees and Faculty of that University say respecting 
 this branch of their work : — 
 
 " ' It is our aim to give to young women an education, 
 not lacking in refinement, but which shall fit them for 
 their great duties and trusts, making them the equals of 
 their educated husbands and associates, and enabling 
 them to bring the aids of science and culture to the all- 
 important labours and vocations of womanhood. If 
 ignorance is a weakness and a disaster in the places of 
 business, where the income is won, it is equally so in the 
 places of living, where the income is expended. If science 
 can aid agriculture and the mechanical arts to use more 
 successfully nature's forces, and to increase the value of 
 their products, it. can equally aid the housekeeper in the 
 finer and more complicated use of those agencies, where 
 the raw products of the field are to be transformed into 
 sweet and wholesome food, by a chemistry finer than that 
 of soils, and the products of a hundred manufactories are 
 to be put to their final uses for the health and happiness 
 of life.' 
 
 " Thus you see that Wyndham College was established 
 for the attainment of similar objects, and its founders 
 are guided by the same feelings of interest, not only for 
 those young ladies who become students here, but also 
 for the welfare of those with whom they may be here- 
 after associated. It is scarcely possible to over-estimate 
 the value of the training you can secure in Wyndham 
 College. As regards the dairy work, it is well known to 
 those who have carefully considered the matter, that the 
 only hope of a profitable conduct of most of our dairy 
 farms is excellence in the quality of the produce. This 
 
172 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 can only be secured by skilful training, and an intelligent 
 acquaintance with the work to be done. In some of the 
 dairies of the States which I visited, the oversight was 
 entrusted to men who were good chemists, but female 
 students will soon displace them. In reference to the 
 management of bees, I may tell you that I have seen 
 farms in America which are specially conducted for bee- 
 culture, and the production of the crops was regulated by 
 a due regard to the requirements of the bees. In other 
 parts, instead of cultivating plants which yield flowers 
 on which the bees could feed, they have floating colonies 
 of bees with their attendants, following on their majestic 
 rivers the various growths of bloom on their banks. 
 Enormous quantities of honey are obtained by both of 
 these systems, but where the cultivation of fruit is carried 
 on, the bees render most valuable help. Numerous cases 
 came under my own observation, where gardens and 
 orchards which yielded an abundance of blossom, but 
 gave only small supplies of fruit, have been rendered very 
 productive by having bees kept near them. The bees 
 distribute the pollen, and the proper setting of the fruit 
 was the natural result. 
 
 " As to gardens, I will only say that good farmers are 
 almost always bad gardeners, and thus it becomes of great 
 importance that ladies should be able to supply the de- 
 ficiency. Truly, then, you have many opportunities, in 
 these and various other ways, for making a profitable use 
 of the instruction you will gather by your studies in the 
 Economic Section of the College work, and I heartily 
 wish you every success." 
 
CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 At the suggestion of the Lady Principal of Wyndham 
 College, authority was obtained for the formation of a 
 large swimming bath in the College grounds, and Mrs. 
 Woodford undertook to have it made and properly fitted 
 up at her own expense. It was constructed so as to give 
 safe bathing of various depths, and it was placed under 
 the responsible charge of Madame Latude, the accom- 
 plished ruler of the gymnasium. The system she adopted 
 enabled her to teach her pupils swimming before they 
 entered the water, and thus she saved many from needless 
 exposure to the cold. Taking each class of ten young 
 ladies in suitable bathing dress, the swimming drill was 
 carried out on a portion of the gymnasium carpeted for 
 the purpose. The carpet represented the watery surface, 
 and after a fair amount of practice the drill could be 
 carried out with equal ease in the water, so that they soon 
 became fair swimmers. Subsequent tuition completed 
 the work,^ and thus, when the ladies separated for the 
 summer vacation, each could take care of herself in the 
 water, whilst many of them were also able to save another 
 person in case of accident. 
 
 But work and study had also their claims upon the 
 students. Those who had attended the Science lectures 
 in Wrexborough had to undergo the annual examination, 
 
174 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 in order that their work might be tested, and Govern- 
 ment Certificates granted to those who proved themselves 
 duly qualified. The Certificates gained in the advanced 
 stages were of permanent value to those who secured 
 them, as they constituted a qualification for teaching the 
 subject to others, and secured for the holders payment 
 from the Government for successful tuition at any future 
 time. These pupils were not examined for the purpose 
 of increasing the Government payments to the master, 
 and the College Committee of Management had speci- 
 ally provided for this loss by paying him a higher fee. 
 The usual fee charged in Wrexborough — for those who 
 were to be examined, so as to bring payments to the 
 master from the Department — was ten shillings for the 
 thirty lectures, but the College students were charged a 
 higher sum, which was, as a matter of course, paid out of 
 the College funds. It may be as well to state that duly 
 qualified teachers can receive payment from the Depart- 
 ment (for persons — or the sons and daughters of persons 
 — having an income or profits not exceeding X200 a year) 
 at the rate of £2 for every such person taking a First- 
 Class certificate, whilst £1 is paid on each Second-Class 
 student. The payment of an additional fee to the master, 
 thus enabled the advantages of superior instruction in 
 science, to be secured for the students at a small cost. 
 
 Another science subject had now to be taken up in 
 the College, and for this purpose Miss Wilson — who held 
 a first-class Government honours certificate for animal 
 physiology — was selected for giving instruction in this 
 and kindred subjects. Thus the cessation of the science 
 lectures in Wrexborough only changed the subjects for 
 study, but did not diminish the work in hand. 
 
PKACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 175 
 
 Those students who had entered upon the economic 
 department, found a new class of practical work before 
 them. The lectures and practical illustrations of dairy 
 work given by Miss Welton were most valuable. Where 
 only three cows were kept for supplying milk to the 
 College, there was not much chance of the students learn- 
 ing the dairymaid's first duty of being able to milk a cow 
 properly. Even if the number of cows had justified the 
 attempt, the practice of so many novices would have 
 gone far to spoil any cows as milkers. Miss Welton 
 overcame this difficulty by means of a set of artificial 
 udders made of soft leather, fitted with india-rubber 
 teats, and the whole fixed in a frame about the natural 
 height. These being filled with water, the pupils seated 
 themselves in orthodox style, and practised with impun- 
 ity, until the ringing sound of the double-handed milking 
 showed they were experts at the work. As they became 
 thoroughly accomplished they were allowed to milk the 
 living animal, but rather as evidence to themselves that 
 they had secured the accomplishment. " Other branches 
 of dairy work were treated in regular succession, some of 
 the pupils being selected to act as demonstrators to the 
 others, whilst each in succession had an opportunity of 
 joining in the work. 
 
 A poultry-yard had also been commenced, and Mrs. 
 Arnold — the matron — took this under her own manage- 
 ment. Anticipating the needs of the students, she had 
 taken the precaution to make preparation early in the 
 spring, and she had set one of the apprentice girls — Ann 
 Hutton — to help in this work under the direction of Mrs. 
 Jones, the gardener's wife. Thus, when the time came 
 for the students to require them, there was a nice lot 
 
176 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 of fowls, ducks, geese, and turkeys of various ages and 
 degrees of strength needing careful treatment, and the 
 hydro-incubators were daily adding to the assembly. The 
 early and great danger was not a want of attention, but 
 too much enthusiasm; still Mrs. Arnold was a good discip- 
 linarian, and by well-directed help the poultry flourished, 
 whilst the students were accustomed to what was desirable 
 in their management. 
 
 The responsible care of the garden was entrusted to 
 Thomas Jones, a really intelligent gardener ; but it must 
 be confessed that he was at first fairly puzzled, by being 
 surrounded in his work by a bevy of young ladies. A 
 pupil-assistant and nine students appeared to him rather 
 too strong a company of helpers, but when Miss Welton 
 came upon the scene, the difficulty was greatly reduced. 
 She arranged that the students should in the first place 
 take notes of the work which had been done on each day 
 in the garden, and of what remained to be done. The 
 students were allowed to make inquiries of the gardener 
 in explanation of the work, the same being duly recorded 
 in their note-books, after which any light and suitable 
 work in the garden which they could do, was attended to. 
 A piece of land outside the garden had been broken up, 
 and each student had a small portion of that ground for 
 her own garden, on which she was free to practise her 
 skill in pursuance of some definite plan approved of by 
 Miss Welton. This lady took care that the practical in- 
 struction in gardening was duly utilised, for the students 
 were frequently examined respecting the work done, and 
 the lectures were as far as possible arranged so as to treat 
 upon the special work of the season. This allotment- 
 ground saved Thomas Jones many an anxious moment, 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 177 
 
 for SO many hands made light work scarce, and he was 
 always glad to be able to thank them for completing 
 what he wanted done. His wife was the practical autho- 
 rity on bee culture, and gave many useful lessons respect- 
 ing them in a quiet and unassuming manner. Thus, 
 between lectures and study in the College, with active 
 duties and vigorous exercise outside, the time flew rapidly 
 on — reminding us of the words — 
 
 * ' Each morning saw some task begun, 
 Each evening saw it close ; 
 Something attempted, something done, 
 Had earned a night's repose." 
 
 The summer vacation soon arrived, and the work of the 
 first collegiate year terminated. To the founders of the 
 College it was naturally an anxious time ; but when the 
 Committee of Management had inquired into the general 
 position of matters, they found much cause for satisfaction. 
 The students had made thoroughly good progress in intel- 
 lectual training and in physical development, whilst the 
 accounts showed that the expenditure had come within 
 the estimates. Under such circumstances, it will cause 
 no surprise for it to be said that on the last evening in 
 College of that session, there was a very happy gathering 
 of friends and students, and much mutual congratulation. 
 Many months had now elapsed since old Mr. Foster 
 had visited the Abbotts, but various circumstances had 
 prevented a repetition of that pleasure. Janet had paid 
 him several calls, and informed him from time to time of 
 the progress of her various efforts for the labourers and 
 their families ; and each succeeding visit appeared to be 
 increasingly pleasing to the old man. He was evidently 
 failing in strength, and had given up all hopes of paying 
 
 N 
 
178 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 another visit to the Abbotts. On the latest of these visits 
 Janet was much surprised to hear him say, 
 
 "The work you are doing for the people on the 
 farm, I ought to have done for them years and years ago. 
 I did nothing for them for over forty years beside pay- 
 ing them their wages. I thought this was all I ought to 
 do, but I see I might have helped them greatly, as you 
 are doing. They are in good hands now, and you are 
 doing all I could wish for them. I want to do something 
 now to help your work somewhere. I knoAv you want 
 help for your hospital, so I had my lawyer with me 
 some short time ago. I have made provision for my 
 housekeeper and some distant relatives — for I have no 
 near relations — and I told him that I thought I ought to 
 have spent £12 or £15 a year at least at the Abbotts for 
 helping others, and as I had not done it, if he reckoned 
 up what was due for forty years, I would pay it at once. 
 I have made a deed of gift for £600 in the funds to your 
 husband and your brother, as trustees, for assisting in 
 building your Village Hospital. Take then this deed of 
 gift, with an old man's blessing on your work." 
 
 Janet thanked him, and promised to proceed ^vith 
 the work •without any further delay ; at the same time 
 she expressed her hopes that he might live to see the 
 hospital finished. A substantial assistance of this kind, 
 naturally induced Janet to put herself into communica- 
 tion with Mrs. Woodford, and ask her advice upon the 
 best course of procedure. Mrs. Woodford informed her 
 in reply, that she had often conversed with her husband 
 on the subject of the proposed Village Hospital, and was 
 therefore quite prepared to give a definite expression of 
 their opinions on the subject. She assured her of her 
 
PKACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 179 
 
 warm sympathy in the work, and hoped immediate 
 action would be taken in it, adding, 
 
 " There is a piece of freehold land — by the side of 
 the turnpike road, and immediately opposite to Wyndham 
 College — of about three acres in extent, in every way 
 suitable for the hospital ; and this land Mr. Woodford is 
 prepared to convey to trustees duly appointed for the 
 purpose, as our contribution to the work." 
 
 The proposal was in every way most satisfactory, and 
 arrangements were forthwith made for its transfer. The 
 trust-deed was duly prepared, and Ernest Henry Wood- 
 ford, John Holmes, Charles Webster, and George Hast- 
 ings were named as trustees. An architect, specially 
 experienced in this class of work, prepared a general 
 plan, which might be carried out in sections as the funds 
 permitted. Orders were shortly given for building the 
 central portion, and for laying out the land in front in a 
 suitable manner, at a cost not exceeding the sum of .£6 00. 
 
 Such was the general position of matters, when Mrs. 
 Webster again paid a flying visit to the Abbotts, and 
 was fully informed as to what had transpired respecting 
 the hospital. Janet naturally sought her advice as to 
 the wisest course for them to adopt for obtaining funds 
 for furnishing the hospital. In reply she said, 
 
 " I shall express no opinion, I shall only put before 
 you a simple fact, and leave you to draw your own con- 
 clusions. In or about 1858 it was considered very 
 desirable to increase the Queen's Hospital in Birming- 
 ham, and nearly £3000 was required for that purpose. 
 The late Mr. Sands Cox resolved to do his best to obtain 
 that money, and knowing that thousands would gladly 
 give one or two penny stamps, or pence, for such a work. 
 
180 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 he determined to try the efifect of these small collections. 
 Cards and other forms of application were very freely 
 issued, simply asking for one penny in addition to the 
 cost of the appeal, thus practically asking for twopence 
 when the application was made by letter. Previous 
 attempts of a similar character had met with cordial 
 support, and here also he succeeded in securing the 
 entire sum, which he handed to the Executive Com- 
 mittee for the contemplated work. Here you have a 
 simple fact ; make what use of it you like. There are 
 very few of us who realise what can be done with pence." 
 
CHAPTEE XXY. 
 
 The cottage garden which was under Donald Mac23her- 
 son's management fully met the expectations which had 
 been formed, and it may be stated that his example was 
 greatly beneficial amongst the labourers on the farm. 
 Charlie Webster was badly off for a useful gardener, and 
 he asked Jack to let Donald go over, and give his man 
 some hints as to a proper system of garden culture. 
 The request was of course complied with, and Donald in 
 due course reported what he had done, adding that it 
 would not take much of his time to step across occasion- 
 ally, and just tell the man what to do. It happened 
 that Jessie Forbes, in her watchful care of her master's 
 interests, thought it desirable to inform herself respecting 
 the directions which Donald was giving. She was much 
 impressed with his intelligent manner, and there was 
 something in his Scotch brogue reminding her of her 
 own home-life, that with each succeeding interview she 
 took an increasing interest in all he said and directed to 
 be done. He, however, at length suggested to her that 
 if she wished to see a garden really well done, she should 
 look at his garden at the new cottage, and as a matter 
 of fact she took so much interest in gardening as to walk 
 over and see it. The inspection naturally extended to 
 the cottage, which was now just ready for occupation, 
 
132 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 and Jessie Forbes praised both garden and cottage ex- 
 cessively, wishing him health and happiness to enjoy 
 them. The difficulties of his position as a lone man 
 were then so skilfully outlined, and the inducements he 
 had to offer were described in such an iiTesistible manner, 
 that when she returned to the Manor House Farm, she 
 told Charlie Webster that she had decided to share 
 Donald's lot with him, "for weal or for woe." 
 
 "I had rather the garden had gone uncared for," said 
 Charlie Webster, "than have to part with you as my 
 housekeeper, for all has gone on so well here under your 
 care. I'll take jolly good care, I'll have no more con- 
 sulting gardeners called in. I really did think you were 
 above all such inducements." 
 
 "Well, sir," said Jessie, "trouble not yourself, for I 
 am full sure that now the mistress is giving up her house 
 in Edinburgh, she will be able to spare Mary Dunbar, for 
 she will not be wanting a housekeeper there any longer. 
 It will be so nice for the mistress to have her here when 
 she visits you, and she has been so long in the family. 
 It's all for the best, sir, and you know I am not the first 
 who has had to say : — 
 
 * He begged for giidesake ! I wad be his wife, 
 Or else I wad kill him wi' sorrow ; 
 Sae, e'en to preserve the puir body in life, 
 I think I maun wed him to-morrow.' 
 
 Well, not as soon as that, but when it can be conveniently 
 arranged." 
 
 It caused no little surprise at the Abbotts, when 
 Charlie Webster reported the general result of Donald's 
 advice upon gardening. Janet knew it would relieve her 
 mother from an anxiety, for she did not know what to 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 183 
 
 do with Mary Dunbar, and could not bear the idea of 
 her leaving the family. The surprise gradually gave 
 place to amusement about the incident, and Janet quickly 
 saw that the change would make Donald more useful in 
 his influence on the farm. 
 
 The suggestions which Mrs. Webster had given as to 
 the raising of additional funds for the hospital had been 
 carefully considered, and it was determined to adopt the 
 plan suggested. Mrs. Webster lent them the sum of 
 £50, to be expended in halfpenny postage stamps and 
 printing, she being willing to take the loss of the expenses 
 if the results were not remunerative, but promising a 
 subscription if the loan were repaid. An order was 
 accordingly given for twenty thousand circulars, having 
 a view of the proposed hospital, with a statement setting 
 forth the object to be aided, and inviting subscriptions in 
 the form of postage stamps or otherwise. The labour 
 involved in this work was great, and necessitated assist- 
 ance. Janet knew that she could rely upon Annie 
 Watkins as a helper, and, as her vacation was now on, 
 the invitation proved to be a mutual convenience. The 
 issue of the circulars proceeded with great rapidity, but 
 it soon involved a considerable amount of supplemental 
 correspondence. Still, they were greatly encouraged in 
 the work, by the contributions which were received. 
 Throughout six counties the appeal was sent forth, and 
 the Village Hospital for Wrexborough attracted much 
 consideration and public interest. 
 
 No one who had known Annie Watkins twelve months 
 previously, could now watch her zealous eff'orts without 
 surprise. The girl who was then full of idle, childish 
 follies, was now thoughtful and industrious. She could 
 
184 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 do anything required in the dairy or in the kitchen, and 
 thus she relieved Janet as well as any one could desire. 
 She could also steal a few minutes now and again to 
 nurse or amuse the "little treasure" of the house, and 
 yet progress satisfactorily with the work which had to be 
 done. Withal she could never forget the debt of grati- 
 tude she owed to Janet for this change in her position, 
 and she rejoiced in the opportunity of aiding in the work 
 now in hand. Her work during the college term had 
 been good, for, although she was an assistant, she was 
 still a pupil, and had to pass her examinations to get her 
 certificates, just the same as any of the students. In 
 this work she had been successful, and was able to take 
 rank amongst the best students in the college. Her 
 mother, who was residing with an aunt in Norwich, was 
 greatly pleased at her progress and happiness in her 
 work. Annie heard from Clara occasionally, and she, 
 like herself, was working hard for success in her studies. 
 
 Before the vacation of Wyndham College had ended, 
 the labours of the ladies in aid of the Village Hospital 
 had accomplished far greater results than had been 
 anticipated, and the loan of .£50 having been repaid to 
 Mrs. Webster, a further sum of £906 was passed over to 
 the trustees for the hospital. 
 
 Jack had his time and thoughts somewhat fully occu- 
 pied upon his farm. He felt that this was his sphere of 
 duty, and although public business sometimes called him 
 away, he never allowed the work to be neglected. He 
 had succeeded in getting some interesting meetings in 
 the district, at which the advantages of better education 
 in science for boj's and girls, were freely discussed. This 
 he considered quite as necessary for the success of the 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 185 
 
 new science classes, as the tillage of the land was requi- 
 site before the sowing of the seed. It would have been 
 worse than useless, for science masters to have gone to 
 these market towns to give science lectures, if only a few 
 individuals knew of the work and its advantages. Pro- 
 fiting by the experience they had gained in Wrexborough, 
 he had taken care that the masters and mistresses of the 
 local schools should be invited to these meetings. He 
 had with equal prudence taken care that not only should 
 farmers be invited, but also their wives and the young- 
 sters. Many a lad might have been kept at home, from 
 the parents not taking sufficient interest in the work. 
 He knew that in his own case, if he had not heard of the 
 science lectures whilst in his school, he was not likely to 
 have heard of them at home. Nor could he forget how 
 the history and happiness of his life, had been influenced 
 by his desire for such instruction, having been stimulated 
 by a few judicious remarks made by Mr. Hastings when 
 he visited their school. Jack had come out of the ranks, 
 and having risen to an honourable position by his educa- 
 tion, he knew the difficulties in the way of its accomplish- 
 ment ; he also knew the sweets of success, and he was 
 resolved to do his best to encourage others to follow his 
 example. The consequence was, that in each of the four 
 market towns in which the lectures were to be commenced 
 in the autumn, the attention of men, women, boys, and 
 girls had been drawn to the subject, and many were 
 desirous of making use of the opportunity. Jack was 
 too good a general to overlook the advantages of inviting 
 the youngsters to be present ; it set them thinking, and 
 any hesitation or reluctance on the part of the parents, 
 rather stimulated their desire to be taught. 
 
186 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 The preparation which Jack considered desirable was 
 not yet complete, for he wanted to secure the help of the 
 County Agricultural Society. At their annual meeting 
 he had an opportunity of asking for their help, and he 
 made the best use of the occasion. He showed them that 
 whilst they expended over £1000 a year, in the encourage- 
 ment of good stock and implements for use on their farms, 
 they entirely overlooked the means whereby they might 
 improve local knowledge as to their production and use. 
 
 " I have a two-fold plea to put before you," said Jack. 
 " Admitting as I do most fully, the great success which 
 has been attained by means of these Agricultural Exhibi- 
 tions in the production of live stock and implements, I 
 venture to think that you should devote some portion of 
 your income to two very weak points in the agricultural 
 system. I submit to you that you should set aside £25 
 this year for obtaining a Government Scholarship of £50 
 for the best student in the principles of agriculture in the 
 county, who may be a son of one of the members of this 
 society. You are not only rearing stock upon your farms, 
 but you are bringing up your children also, and these, 
 both boys and girls, should have every opportunity pro- 
 vided for their improvement which is within your com- 
 mand. The children of your labourers, who are largely 
 educated at your expense, are in very many cases having 
 a better education than your own children. You have 
 the opportunity of correcting the injustice if you like, 
 the responsibility becomes your own if you do not alter it. 
 
 " My next plea is that instead of over-doing the exhi- 
 bition of live stock, putting a heavy tax upon the breeders 
 of cattle and sheep, by inducing them to injure so many 
 animals every year in the preparation they have to undergo 
 
PKACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 187 
 
 for these shows, you may give some encouragement to 
 another matter, which is equally important to the farmers. 
 I refer to the improvement of farm seeds. You know 
 the value of a careful selection in live stock, but you do 
 not give much attention to the influence of seed upon 
 your crops. I happen to know that the Government 
 Department of Science recently directed an inquiry to be 
 carried out for educational purposes, as to the variations 
 in the quality and yield of corn, and I will just name one 
 or two facts proved by that inquiry. It was shown that 
 under exactly similar circumstances the produce could 
 be largely increased by the use of seed of a specially pro- 
 ductive character, in some cases the yield being even 
 doubled. The advantages were not limited to the 
 quantity produced, for the feeding power was as largely 
 increased by the same means. As farmers, we have to 
 run the growth of our crops and the production of live 
 stock side by side, and when carefully handled they 
 make a very good pair to drive ; but whilst you have 
 pampered the one, you have been sadly indifferent to the 
 other. Eemedy these defects in your system, and I be- 
 lieve your children will bless you, and your crops will be 
 more remunerative." 
 
 The proposals received much favour and support from 
 the members of the Society, and as their funds were in a 
 fairly flourishing condition, the Council acknowledged 
 the justice of the plea, so far as to set aside £25 for secur- 
 ing a £50 Government Scholarship, for the sons of mem- 
 bers attending the science classes in the following winter. 
 This tended to favour the attendance at the classes which 
 were about to be commenced, and Jack now felt quite 
 satisfied that they would begin work under very promis- 
 
188 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 ing circumstances. Nor was he without success respect- 
 ing the encouragement to be given in the growth of seeds, 
 for the Council, at the same meeting, decided to take the 
 matter into consideration, and invited Jack to become a 
 Member of Council to co-operate with them in this and 
 other matters. 
 
CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 The shepherd found his young helper exceedingly useful 
 in carrying on the management of the flock ; indeed, he 
 proved himself so handy, that Charles King was apt to 
 say that shepherding ran in the family, and that Bill took 
 after his father, who was well known as a good shepherd. 
 Whether he was correct or not in his ide.a of this heredi- 
 tary character we need not stay to consider, but as a 
 matter of fact young Bill Moore was very serviceable with 
 the flock. The evenings were often far advanced before 
 the two reached the cottage, and, when they had been 
 refreshed, both of them had a turn at the garden. Donald 
 also was much engaged about his garden, and in arrang- 
 ing sundry little matters about the now nearly completed 
 cottage. Still they all found time for a little chat before 
 they retired to rest. On one of these evenings the ques- 
 tion arose about spending money, and Donald, as usual, 
 was quite prepared to give his opinion on the subject. 
 He argued that spending money for other purposes than 
 for the actual requirements of life was a habit which 
 might be encouraged so as to become a positive necessity, 
 or it might be controlled so that it off'ered little or no dif- 
 ficulty to keep it under command. He instanced his own 
 case, and said he did not spend a halfpenny in a month, 
 other than he found necessary for food and clothing, and, 
 
190 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 if he had spent any, he might go on and spend much of 
 wages. 
 
 As these matters of finance were being talked over, 
 Bill said he had £1 in the Savings Bank, and he should 
 soon have another sovereign to pay in, and when he was 
 " out of his time " he would have £28 in the bank, and 
 he meant to keep his father and mother out of the Union. 
 Charles King joined in the conversation, and said he had 
 some money in the bank — about £12 — and he had a nice 
 young heifer coming on upon the farm, so that he had 
 just cause to consider that his position had improved 
 during the last eighteen months. He expected that if 
 things went on well he would be able to keep out of the 
 Union. As there was a cheerful conversation going on 
 in King's cottage, Thomas Murch looked in on his 
 neighbour. Donald Macpherson followed in the discus- 
 sion, and showed them that he paid two shillings out of 
 his wages every week into the Post-office, so that when 
 he died there would be £100 for somebody, and when 
 he was sixty years of age his pa;yTnents would cease, and 
 he would from that time have a monthly payment from 
 the Government of thirty-six shillings and eightpence as 
 long as he lived. He had begun to make his pajTnents 
 when he was twenty-four years of age, and they were 
 therefore moderate, but he explained that he had thus 
 purchased a pension for life, which would help him when 
 he was less able to work, and if he left a widow, she 
 would not be penniless. 
 
 This remark came home to Jane King, who now 
 joined in the conversation, asking what it would cost for 
 her husband to do the same, as she would gladly do 
 anything she could, rather than she and her husband 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 191 
 
 should end their days in the Union, separated from each 
 other for ever. Donald told them to read one of the 
 Provident Knowledge Papers written by Mr. Bartley,^ 
 for he had gained all his information from these, and 
 they only cost one penny each. He promised that he 
 would ask the misfress to get another copy, as he had 
 given his away. The request so made to Janet was 
 cheerfully complied with, and on an examination of the 
 Government Tables thus obtained, it w^as found that if 
 George King (aged thirty-five) paid sixpence weekly 
 until he was sixty years of age for Life Insurance, he 
 could secure a payment of £36 at his death. If he 
 paid another shilling weekly until he was sixty, he could 
 secure a pension of seventeen shillings and twopence 
 monthly, from the time he became sixty until death. 
 It was also seen that by paying one shilling weekly for 
 Jane King (aged thirty) until she became sixty years of 
 age, they would secure for her a pension of eighteen 
 shillings and threepence per month after that time. 
 These payments amounted to half-a-crown weekly, and 
 after careful consideration they decided to make this 
 provision for old age. Thomas Murch and his wife 
 were equally interested in this proceeding, but they were 
 both older than the Kings (being thirty-nine and thirty- 
 five respectively), consequently they could not receive 
 quite as much for the same weekly payments. They also 
 decided to pay half-a-crown weekly, and thus they secured 
 a Life Insurance on Thomas Murch's life for £28, and 
 two pensions of twelve shillings and thirteen and sixpence 
 
 1 A series of these most valuable papers, by Mr. G. C. T. Bart- 
 ley, has been published by Messrs. Chapman and Hall, London. 
 Price one shilling. 
 
192 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 monthly upon the lives of Thomas and Mary Murch re- 
 spectively. Janet was greatly pleased to hear of this 
 resolve on the part of these cottagers, and she encouraged 
 them to persevere in the work 
 
 The time was now near at hand, when Donald was to 
 take possession of one of the cottages which had been 
 built during the summer. As all difficulty had been 
 overcome in reference to Jessie Forbes, it was arranged 
 that they should be married as soon as the cottage was 
 ready for their occupation. Charlie Webster, having got 
 over his vexation at losing his housekeeper, gave Jessie 
 her wedding breakfast at the Manor House, and told her 
 that his wedding present should take the form of a sow 
 and a farrow of young pigs, to help them to make good 
 use of the garden produce at their new cottage. Donald 
 — who could never be blamed for not looking after his 
 own interests, as well as his master's — had shown some 
 foresight in asking Jack to allow him to keep a cow, as 
 he had the money to buy one. The consequence was 
 Jack agreed to let him three acres of the grass land he 
 had recently taken from the Squire, and he charged him 
 a rental of £6 a year, under a definite agreement which 
 provided for the land being kept in proper order. The 
 Squire's agent allowed some sa^vn timber, and Jack let 
 him have some thatch, so as to enable Donald to put up 
 a cow shed near his cottage, and thus his difficulties 
 about a milk supply were placed in a fair way for settle- 
 ment. 
 
 We have had little occasion to notice the career of 
 Edward Gower, who entered upon his apprenticeship in 
 the previous January, and, although not quite as sharp 
 a lad as his predecessor, still he was doing fairly well in 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 193 
 
 his situation. The apprenticeship system was truly on 
 its trial, and thus far it appeared likely to turn out satis- 
 factorily. Jack was greatly encouraged by reading that 
 day, in one of the agricultural papers,^ a statement de- 
 scribing the general condition of matters on some farms in 
 the old apprenticeship days. The writer — M. C. C. — said, 
 
 " Before you drive the past entirely from our memo- 
 ries, let me say I could tell you of a tenancy of 500 acres 
 extending over more than fifty years, and ending a 
 quarter of a century ago — in much of which I had a 
 share — which stands in favourable contrast with much 
 that I have seen since then of tenants and labourers of 
 modern type. The labourers, men and boys, and girls 
 and women (so large a dairy employed a large number of 
 milkers amongst others) were superintended, taught, and 
 cared for. The mistress was active as well as the master, 
 and during all those years no female servant ever left in 
 disgrace. No man or boy was ever turned away for dis- 
 honesty; and no one in regular employ ever left the 
 service willingly. During all those years — sixty years — 
 think of it ; can any parallel this now f 
 
 "That is, indeed, very encouraging," said Janet, "but 
 I beg of you to notice the words 'the mistress was 
 active as well as the master ; ' that is the keystone .of 
 the arch. I see no reason to doubt that, although our 
 progress is slow, we are advancing the people on the farm 
 into a better and more hopeful position for the future. 
 It has occurred to me that when Edward Gower finishes 
 his first year, it would be a very good plan to let him 
 live with the shepherd, taking Bill Moore's place. Bill 
 could no doubt go to Donald's cottage, taking with him 
 ^ Agricidiural Gazette. No. 317. New Series. 
 O 
 
194 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 the next new apprentice. They would both do well 
 there, for I am sure that Jessie Forbes — Macpherson, I 
 mean — will be as kind as a mother to them, and Donald's 
 influence has really been very good. I could then manage 
 to take a young girl into the house as an apprentice, for 
 I am anxious to see what I can do with one. It is not 
 much we can do, but still every instance of a successful 
 working of the system, will help to revive an old practice 
 which has, unfortunately, been discontinued." 
 
 " I was talking upon this labour question a few days 
 since," said Jack, "with a venerable old gentleman, over 
 eighty years of age, who has been engaged in farming 
 all his life, who even now occupies over 1000 acres of 
 land, and is more active in mind and body than many a 
 young man. I was anxious to have some conversation 
 with him upon the apprenticeship system. He said, 
 'The men and boys of the present day are about as 
 different from what they used to be, forty or fifty years 
 back, as if they were a different race of beings. Then, 
 they felt an interest in everything proceeding on the 
 farm, they respected the master and mistress, they did 
 everything they could to serve them, and they rarely 
 thought of leaving their employ. Now, it is exactly the 
 reverse with them. Last hay season, which was very 
 catchy, I had fifty acres of hay ready to carry ; for the 
 life of me I couldn't hasten them a bit. We might have 
 finished carrying with some three hours' extra work. 
 The clock struck six, and every man, woman, and boy 
 struck work instantly ; they even took the horses out of 
 a waggon three parts loaded, and walked them home. 
 That night rain fell, and a flood washed away over £200 
 worth of hay, and I doubt if one of them would have 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 195 
 
 come out of his cottage to help me if I prayed him to do 
 so. Yet I do nearly all you are doing, and it may be 
 more. I find them good cottages rent free ; I give them 
 milk ; I give them land for potatoes j I plough the land 
 for nothing; I actually give them seed, and, with all 
 this, they don't care the value of a penny for me. That 
 is the sort of labourer I have to deal with, and I say 
 they are beyond hope. As to saving any money, they 
 don't think of such a thing ; and they will all come upon 
 the Union some day as a matter of course.' I could not 
 help feeling that it was a sad and mournful tale; but 
 you see my friend was doing very much more than I am 
 doing, for I do not give my men any one of these helps. 
 I simply help them to help themselves, but I expect them 
 to pay me for all that is done for them, just as they ex- 
 pect to be paid for what they do. It appears to me that 
 the real test of success, is to be found in their making any 
 savings and getting into a more prosperous condition. If, 
 with the opportunities we give them for improving their 
 position, we found that they still remained pauperised in 
 mind, with a calm persuasion that they would be paupers in 
 the future, then I think we should have to weed out those 
 who did not make a proper use of the opportunity." 
 
 " The women quite understand me," said Janet ; " that 
 I want to make them have feelings of higher respect for 
 themselves than they have had. I believe that as this 
 feeling increases they will have more respect for those 
 around them, and there is already a very marked improve- 
 ment visible. If any effort be made to do something 
 which shall secure the gratitude of another — if gratitude 
 be the object aimed at — the effort generally fails to 
 accomplish the desired result. I know these are my 
 
196 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 mother's views, and I take her, as you ' very well know, 
 as my authority on these matters. She has often im- 
 pressed upon me her opinion, that if your object in help- 
 ing another is to make them feel grateful, you are sure 
 to fail ; if you lose sight of self, and strive judiciously to 
 raise them to a nobler and more useful position in life, 
 feelings ot affection and gratitude generally arise. Truly 
 disinterested kindness is the best seed for growing a good 
 crop of gratitude." 
 
 "That is all very well," said Jack, "but I am sadly 
 afraid that disinterested kindness won't go far towards 
 making a farm pay. Human nature is evidently a great 
 deal more difficult to deal with than cultivating the soil 
 Good crops can be grown more easily than grateful 
 labourers." 
 
 " Ah," said Janet, " in the one case you have a natural 
 growth, in the other you have a spontaneous development 
 Now, as a student of physiology, explain that if you can. 
 Don't you think it is very lucky for you that I was not 
 your College Examiner ?" 
 
 "You are taking me out of my province altogether," 
 said Jack. "Your inquiry certainly needs some thought." 
 
 " I will tell you the secret," said Janet. "Man reigns 
 in one domain, woman in another. By prudence and 
 justice you can command respect from a well-regulated 
 mind, but the mind on which you have to act receives 
 its bias from home influences, and these are largely within 
 a woman's power. Woman is popularly considered weak, 
 and in some respects I admit that this is perfectly true, 
 but within her legitimate sphere of action she is power- 
 ful, either for good or for evil, and no greater mistake can 
 be made than to ignore this fact. Can you expect a 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 197 
 
 labourer reared in a miserable group, without a happy 
 home in married life, with no hope for his latter days 
 but the Union, drowning his miserable condition of mind 
 from time to time in the public-house, scolded on his 
 return for spending the money so sorely needed for his 
 family, entering on his daily duty with little food and 
 little strength; can you expect such a man's mind to 
 become suddenly changed, so as to entertain kindly 
 feelings to his employer ^ The influence at home has 
 distorted his vision, he fails to see kindness in his master, 
 he looks upon him as a hard taskmaster, who pays him 
 to do certain work, and his actual want of bodily strength 
 leads him to slip through it as easily as possible. To 
 expect from such a mind feelings of gratitude and devo- 
 tion, when the man has no aff'ection for his wife, or love 
 for his children, is to look for an impossibility. It is not 
 simply a question of wages, or gifts ; you must make the 
 man happy in his home, with feelings of love for those 
 who ought to be dear to him. Let him have something 
 worth living for, he will then respect his master, and 
 take an interest in his property. Here then a farmer's 
 wife can exert a very useful influence. I know perfectly 
 well that woman's greatest influence will be exerted when 
 she is fully aware of her own weakness, but it will conduce 
 to man's success if he clearly recognises the power she 
 possesses, and helps her by his counsel to use it prudently. 
 And now let me remind you of the words, which I well re- 
 member you made use of before you had a farm of your 
 own: — 
 
 ' Oh give these heirs of poverty their cots, 
 Attach them firmly to their native spots, 
 Amidst their thorny paths entwine a flower, 
 Theirs soft submission, thine attempted power !' " 
 
CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 The commencement of the second session of Wyndham 
 College was quickly followed by the Garden Show and 
 the exhibition of Dairy Produce and Bee-culture. Ad- 
 vantage was taken of this gathering for laying certain 
 foundation-stones for the Village Hospital. The plans 
 for the complete scheme had been specially prepared, so 
 as to avoid some of the difficulties so frequently asso- 
 ciated with the ordinary construction of hospitals. In 
 the first place, it appeared to be very desirable to main- 
 tain all the comforts and advantages of home nursing, 
 with the skill and appliances of the regular hospital. It 
 was equally necessary to avoid those unfavourable con- 
 ditions, which arise from an over-crowding of patients. 
 With these objects in view, the system of perfectly 
 detached cottages had been decided upon, each of which 
 should have only four rooms, and accommodation for a 
 nurse. The houses were arranged so as to form a crescent 
 facing the turnpike road, but the central building was 
 considerably larger than the rest, having a residence for 
 the lady superintendent and ten pupils, with good 
 kitchen conveniences, surgical stores, and appliances of 
 various kinds, in addition to accommodation for four 
 patients. The houses were to be built entirely of con- 
 crete and covered with cement, in order that there might 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 199 
 
 be as little opportunity as possible for any injurious 
 matters settling into wood-work. This form of structure 
 rendered the buildings fireproof, and enabled any one or 
 more rooms to be very perfectly and quickly purified, by 
 air heated to a high temperature. The funds which had 
 been placed in the hands of the trustees fully justified 
 them in forthwith commencing the erection of the central 
 building and one cottage on each side of it. 
 
 At the time fixed for laying the foundation-stones, 
 there was a large gathering of friends and well-wishers. 
 Mr. Woodford then explained to those who were assem- 
 bled on the ground, the objects which the trustees had 
 in view. He said, 
 
 "Thanks to the kindness of Mr. Foster, aided by 
 other helpers, this piece of land, and £1506, have been 
 passed into the care of the trustees, for the purpose of 
 securing to those suffering from sickness and accidents, 
 the priceless blessings of good nursing in temporary 
 homes, in which the patients' own medical men can 
 attend them, just as if they had remained in their own 
 houses. We all know that two classes can command 
 these advantages, namely, those who have plenty of 
 money, and those who have none. But between these 
 two classes, we have a far greater number who are 
 entirely without these comforts. These persons cannot 
 afford to secure highly qualified nurses, and many neces- 
 sary conveniences, neither can they accept rank with 
 paupers. In these families we too often find the entire 
 domestic arrangements thrown into utter confusion, by 
 one member of the family being laid up from an accident 
 or by illness, whilst the sufferer cannot secure that quiet 
 and attention which would hasten recovery. It is not 
 
200 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 intended to take any of the work of the Union Hospital, 
 but to £nd accommodation for that most deserving class 
 who are willing to help themselves. I must, however, 
 explain to you that this accommodation is provided for 
 paying patients, so that whoever enters and receives 
 comfort, and, we may hope, health, within these walls, 
 may feel that he or she can place himself or herself 
 beyond all obligation, by contributing to the expenses. 
 No pauper will, under any condition, be received, for 
 this institution is intended simply for those who are 
 careful and provident. Many cases will doubtless be 
 sent from the upper middle classes, who will cheerfully 
 pay liberally towards the expenses. Then again, as a 
 maternity home, many will doubtless welcome the 
 opportunity of being received here, assured that quiet 
 and attentive care, with proper food, will be thereby 
 secured without their own homes being upset, in vain 
 attempts to secure what is beyond their command, and 
 often beyond the knowledge of their helpers. During 
 the erection of the buildings, various arrangements will 
 have to be made for the general conduct and manage- 
 ment of the Institution, but with these I need not 
 trouble you. I should, perhaps, state that, as this In- 
 stitution will differ from those we commonly know as 
 hospitals, we have decided that it shall be a 'Home' 
 rather than a hospital, and that the group shall be 
 known as 'The Homes on the Crescent.' In addition to 
 the central building, there will be two cottage-homes 
 forthwith commenced, the latter being distinguished as 
 the Rose and Woodbine Cottages. We hope in a few 
 years to add two others, which will probably be known 
 as the Jessamine and Laburnum Cottages, and as time 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 201 
 
 rolls on, a sight of these cottages will doubtless show 
 their distinguishing names by their bright blooms. It 
 now only remains for me to invite you all to help in 
 promoting the prosperity of the 'Homes on the Cres- 
 cent,' so as to render them thoroughly useful in the 
 neighbourhood, as well as self-supporting." 
 
 Mrs. Woodford then laid a foundation-stone for the 
 central building, after which Janet and Annie Watkins 
 laid corner-stones for the two cottages. Janet had taken 
 care to bring old Mr. Foster in her phaeton, so that he 
 might witness the commencement of the work he had so 
 liberally aided. As soon as the usual ceremonial pro- 
 ceedings had terminated, the company adjourned to visit 
 the Garden Show, and here a very marked improvement 
 was observable in the various details of the exhibition. 
 The show was followed in the evening by a most enjoy- 
 able entertainment in the Assembly Eoom, preparatory 
 to the work of the new session in Wyndham College. It 
 is satisfactory to mention that the College was now full, 
 there being twenty-eight students for the advanced course 
 of study, and thirty-two for their first year's course. 
 
 The Lady Principal and Mrs. Arnold so thoroughly 
 approved of the progress of the two apprentice girls en- 
 gaged for the College, that they had agreed with two 
 others, and these entered upon their duty shortly before 
 the session commenced. 
 
 As soon as the buildings for the Homes were fairly 
 started, the Trustees invited some of the ladies and 
 gentlemen of Wrexborough and neighbourhood, to associ- 
 ate themselves so as to form a Committee of Management 
 for the Homes, and to this a very cordial response was 
 given. It soon became evident that not only in the 
 
202 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 town, but for some six or eight miles round, there was a 
 desire to participate in the advantages of the Homes. 
 Provident Sick Clubs and Maternity Clubs were com- 
 menced in several parts of the district, and there was 
 very clear evidence that there would be no lack of 
 patients. It was decided to elect a Female Medical 
 Superintendent, who should not only be qualified to take 
 the responsible charge of the patients, but thoroughly 
 competent to give instruction to students. She was to 
 be assisted in the hospital management by two fully 
 qualified nurses, they having the supplemental help of 
 two adult probationers, and ten female students as pupil 
 nurses. The adult probationers were to be residents 
 in the neighbourhood, who desired training to qualify 
 themselves for private nursing, and to these a small 
 salary was paid. The students had to pay a fee of £50 
 a year for board and training, and these payments were 
 subsequently found to cover the actual cost of their 
 maintenance, as well as the salary of the Lady Superin- 
 tendent. Thus superior skill was secured for directing 
 the care and treatment of the sick, and the institution 
 became most valuable for training nurses, without im- 
 posing any burthen upon the medical department of the 
 work. 
 
 The arrangements in the district advanced so rapidly 
 that admissions were sought for, before the Homes were 
 quite finished, and admissions were sanctioned much 
 earlier than was oiiginally intended. The plan of allow- 
 ing each patient to be attended by his or her own medi- 
 cal man, was found to disabuse the minds of professional 
 men of any interference with their private practice, whilst 
 they readily recognised the advantages which resulted 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 203 
 
 from an organised system of nursing and a rigid adher- 
 ence to medical orders. Some of the patients who were 
 received paid more than the minimum rate, and this 
 materially aided the efficiency of the institution. The 
 Lady Superintendent made a rule of taking the direc- 
 tions of the medical men, and was responsible for their 
 being properly carried out. 
 
 Janet was exceedingly anxious to enlist the sym- 
 pathies of the Lady Principal of Wyndham College and 
 other ladies associated with her. She also took occasion 
 to explain to them that as one of their body — Annie 
 Watkins — had laboured so zealously during the vacation 
 in obtaining funds for building the Homes, the Trustees 
 had been the more desirous that she should lay one of 
 the corner-stones in the building. The effect of the com- 
 pliment paid to one, who might fairly be regarded as 
 their representative soon became manifest. Although 
 the two institutions were perfectly independent of each 
 other, the ladies in the college were still able to render 
 very great assistance. 
 
 The course of work which engaged the time and at- 
 tention of the new students in Wyndham College, corre- 
 sponded very closely with that which had been done in 
 the previous session by their predecessors. The senior 
 students were fully engaged in the economic department 
 of the college course of stud}^, but this terminated with 
 the month of March, and the examinations for their 
 certificates followed. Those who were successful then 
 passed into the third and final stage of the course, whilst 
 those who did not secure their certificates had to continue 
 in the same department, until the termination of the 
 session. 
 
204 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 With few exceptions, the senior students now entered 
 upon the sanitary section of the college work. It will 
 be evident that the instruction they had received in 
 animal physiology and chemistry, constituted an excellent 
 preparation for understanding the more general laws 
 which influence health and disease. As they proceeded 
 with their lectures, they found many apparently insigni- 
 ficant matters, taking an importance they had never 
 before attached to them. They were astonished to learn 
 that fully one-fourth of the deaths which take place in 
 our families may be attributed to want of reasonable care, 
 and are really preventible deaths. Purity of the air and 
 a proper system of ventilation, held positions of import- 
 ance of which they had previously no correct idea. The 
 students were taught the value of a proper testing of the 
 air, and the fearful facts which were thus revealed. It 
 is, of course, quite natural for nurses and others to be- 
 come so accustomed to foul air, that they are perfectly 
 unconscious of what an atmosphere they have permitted 
 their patients and children to sleep in. 
 
 "But," said Florence Nightingale, "if the tell-tale 
 air-test were to exhibit in the morning, both to nurses, 
 patients, and superior officer going round, what the 
 atmosphere had been during the night, I question if any 
 greater security could be afforded against a recurrence of 
 the misdemeanour. And oh ! the crowded public schools ! 
 where so many children's epidemics have their origin, 
 what a tale its air-tests would tell ! "We shoilld have 
 parents saying, and saying rightly, ' I will not send my 
 child to that school; the air-test stands at "Horrid."' 
 So also scarlet fever would no more be ascribed to con- 
 tagion, but to its right cause, the air-test standing at 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 205 
 
 'Foul.' The little air-tests would betray the cause of 
 mysterious pestilences, and call upon us to remedy it." 
 
 Thence the minds of the students were carried to the 
 practical remedies of the case, and were passed on from 
 subject to subject, until at last they became profoundly 
 impressed with the vast influence upon our health of 
 simple agencies which are commonly disregarded. They 
 saw how greatly the health of the body is influenced, by 
 conditions which come within the legitimate sphere of 
 domestic duties. It became obvious to them that the 
 knowledge and intelligence displayed in the prevention 
 of illness, and in the maintenance of good health, might 
 be taken as evidence of a successful discharge of their 
 duties in the home. It must not be for one moment 
 su2)posed, that they imagined that danger is limited to 
 impure air. They saw that food, water, cleanliness of 
 the home, house drainage, light, warmth, clothing, beds 
 and bedding, and many other agencies, were each and 
 all ready to work favourably or unfavourably, just as the 
 governing hand might direct them rightly, or allow them 
 to operate without proper control. The various rules for 
 a proper system of nursing were also taught, the several 
 systems of dieting persons of various ages, directions as 
 to the course of procedure in cases of accident, or of fire ; 
 these and many similar matters came within the scope 
 of the sanitary department, and all had a distinctly use- 
 ful tendency. 
 
 The first set of students who entered the Homes on 
 the Crescent as pupil-nurses had undergone a full course 
 of study in Wyndham College, and it was an excellent 
 preparation for obtaining a higher knowledge of the 
 practice of nursing. Those students who did not proceed 
 
206 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 beyond the instruction given in the College, went to their 
 homes thoroughly well-educated girls, ^vith healthy bodies 
 and intelligent minds, well fitted for taking the oversight 
 of their own homes. It may be truly said that those 
 who excelled, so as to secure the Diploma of Wyndham 
 College, possessed fortunes for their husbands, perfectly 
 independent of any pecuniary means at their command, 
 or any pretty faces with which to throw light and beauty 
 upon the family circle. 
 
CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the Wrexborough Chamber 
 of Agriculture the Education Committee presented a 
 very favourable report. The science classes were now 
 fairly established throughout their district, and were well 
 attended by boys and girls, as well as by many adults. 
 The action taken by the County Agricultural Society in 
 offering a scholarship for competition amongst the sons 
 of their members, had greatly assisted the efforts of the 
 Education Committee. Nor was this the only supple- 
 mental help they had received. Wyndham College had 
 been approved of by the Department, as a college in which 
 the Government scholarships could be held. Mrs. Wood- 
 ford thereupon secured a £50 scholarship open to the 
 county, and tenable in Wyndham College by the girl 
 who passed the best science examination. She also inti- 
 mated her intention of establishing a second scholarship 
 in the following year, so as to have a senior and junior 
 scholar always studying in the college. In giving notice 
 to the Education Committee of her decision, she aptly 
 remarked, 
 
 " My husband having found the outlay of £50 a year 
 for the two Wrexborough Scholarships a profitable invest- 
 ment for his estate, I have followed his example so far as 
 to give girls equal opportunities, hoping to see the wives 
 
208 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 of our tenantry, well able to aid their husbands in render- 
 ing their farming more profitable, and their homes more 
 happy, whilst I believe the labourers will also derive 
 advantages under their influence and example." 
 
 It is scarcely necessary to say that the Chamber fully 
 recognised the useful work which the Education Com- 
 mittee had carried out. The success they had secured 
 favoured the adoption of another proposal which that 
 Committee had to put before them. It was represented 
 to the Chamber that education was not limited to the 
 attendance on science lectures, or the study of books, 
 these being nothing more than preparations for learning 
 the great truths of farm cultivation. This knowledge, it 
 was stated, would be materially advanced by obtaining 
 fuller and more accurate knowledge of the facts coming 
 within the farmer's observation. Hence the great impor- 
 tance of experimental trials upon the soils of their own 
 district, carried out in very much the same manner as 
 had been done by the Aberdeenshire Agricultural Associ- 
 ation. The Education Committee ventured their opinion 
 that this was a work of a truly educational character, 
 and they asked that the Chamber should approve of an 
 extension of their powers in that direction. The pro- 
 posal was adopted amidst great applause, and the Edu- 
 cation Committee were warmly encouraged to proceed 
 with the further consideration of the work. 
 
 At the meeting of the Rodney Club in Wrexborough 
 in the previous September, Jack was succeeded in the 
 ofl&ce of President by Tom Hughes of the Forest Farm. 
 The new President suggested that at their meeting in 
 July the formal business of the club should be followed 
 by one of their old College conversaziones, to which some 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 209 
 
 of their friends should be invited. He also proposed 
 that the officials and senior students of Wyndham College 
 should be included amongst the invited guests. It was 
 ultimately arranged that the conversazione should take 
 place on the last day of the session in Wyndham College, 
 and be, in fact, a farewell entertainment to the senior 
 students. Whatever may have been Tom Hughes's secret 
 motive in making this proposal, it is perfectly clear that 
 he could not have adopted any better plan for introduc- 
 ing the members of the club and their friends, to a set 
 of thoroughly well-educated girls. Subsequent events 
 tended greatly to show that education in Eodney College, 
 had a tendency to make the students of that institution 
 fully aware of the advantages which the farmer gained, 
 by having a wife well prepared for her duties in life. 
 Many pleasant friendships were thus established, but as 
 to Tom Hughes, it can only be said that he desired to 
 test these advantages practically, for when he left the 
 conversazione he was over head and ears in love with 
 Annie Watkins. Calling upon Jack a few days after to 
 consult with him on the subject, he was, of course, very 
 much surprised to find the young lady spending a portion 
 of her vacation at the Abbotts. Curiously enough, other 
 business matters turned up, and compelled Tom Hughes 
 to make some other calls at the Abbotts during her stay, 
 and the ultimate issue of all was that, before her visit had 
 ended, Annie Watkins had consented to become his bride. 
 Hence, instead of her return to duty in Wyndham Col- 
 lege, she had to make preparations for her wedding, which 
 Janet arranged should take place from the Abbotts. 
 
 Mrs. Holmes invited Mrs. Watkins to be her guest at 
 the Holt, in order that she might the more easily see to 
 
 p 
 
210 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 the preliminary arrangements, and be present at the 
 wedding. Both had frequent opportunities for seeing 
 Annie Watkins, and of exchanging their views confiden- 
 tially on the subject of the approaching wedding, with 
 that calm and deliberate judgment which venerable 
 ladies can alone command. It may be that they were 
 about equally astonished to find Annie Watkins so 
 handy and clever in household matters, and they agreed 
 that she would make a very good wife. But there were 
 others who had their confidential conversations as well 
 as they, and if any one could have heard Annie's grateful 
 expression of her thanks to Janet for all she had done 
 for her, that person would have naturally concluded that 
 kindly aid and sympathy do sometimes meet with a 
 reward. Clara Watkins also paid a short visit on the 
 occasion of her sister's wedding, and she also had some- 
 thing of the same kind to communicate. At any rate, it 
 was a source of great encouragement to Janet, to see the 
 landing-stages she and her husband had helped to con- 
 struct, saving first one and then another from ignorance, 
 misery, and discontent. 
 
 Another pair of cottages were now being finished at 
 the Abbotts, for they had been built on the meadow 
 land recently added to the farm, and to each of these 
 cottages four acres of land had been allotted. Thomas 
 Murch and George King applied for these cottages, and 
 each gave good reasons for being accepted as tenant^ 
 So far had these men changed their position since their 
 entry on their present cottages, that each had £14 or £16 
 in the Savings Bank, each had insured his life, and each 
 was paying for an annuity from the time he became sixty 
 years of age. Each had a cow of his own, and some pigs 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 211 
 
 to take to the new cottage, and several loads of potatoes, 
 mangels, parsnips, and other garden stuff. When Janet 
 first called the wives of the labourers together, they 
 were all alike poor and penniless, ignorant of the best 
 use of food, and unable to make their homes comfortable. 
 Some at least had wonderfully changed in all these re- 
 spects, for any one who noticed the pride and satisfaction 
 with which Murch and King changed their houses, and 
 transferred their worldly goods, must have seen that they 
 had a consciousness of having a position to lose, and of 
 having some feelings of respect for themselves. It must 
 at the same time be acknowledged, that men more devoted 
 to their master's interest no one ever possessed. They 
 were part and parcel of one general association of land- 
 lord, tenant, and labourer, each sympathising with the 
 other, and each anxious to promote the other's welfare. 
 
 Singular to say. Dr. Whichcord happened to call at 
 the Abbotts on the day these men were changing their 
 houses, and he naturally inquired into the circumstances 
 of their removal. 
 
 "Well," said the Doctor, "you have secured a very 
 much earlier success than I could have anticipated I 
 have watched the progress of your work with much 
 interest, and I am sure it must carry with it its own 
 reward for what you have done. You will be sorry to 
 hear that we have had a sad accident at Wrexborough 
 to-day, and the Homes on the Crescent have consequently 
 received an addition to their inmates. A Mr. Thomas 
 was being driven through the town this morning in his 
 brougham, when the horse was frightened and bolted, 
 the carriage came into collision, the coachman was picked 
 up quite insensible, and his master was also severely in- 
 
212 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 jured. At his request both were taken to " the Homes," 
 and I was summoned to them. They will demand the 
 greatest care, but I think the officials are quite up to 
 their work. I often meet my professional friends there, 
 and all agree with me upon its value. In fact, I think 
 it has had a good effect upon us medical men, for it 
 certainly favours many friendly meetings, without excit- 
 ing any professional jealousies, which I am sorry to 
 admit are sadly too frequent. I am more than ever 
 satisfied with the good judgment of the Trustees, in not 
 having any one medical man identified with the institu- 
 tion. We can now visit our patients just as if they were 
 in their own houses, and what is of immense importance, 
 is having trained nurses upon whom we can rely. Few 
 know the extent to which our treatment of the sick is 
 interfered with, by the mistaken kindness of those around 
 them. Our treatment often depends for success upon 
 regularly following out the orders given, whereas in too 
 many cases friends think punctuality is unnecessary, and 
 a little of this and a little of that will do no harm. It is 
 a great mistake in the majority of cases, but happily we 
 are safe there from this annoyance. I really believe that a 
 patient stands twice as good a chance of recovery there, 
 as in his or her own room. I am sorry to tell you that 
 old Mr. Foster is steadily sinking, and if you wish to see 
 him again you had better not delay calling. In all my 
 experience, I never met with so marked a case of a 
 thoroughly selfish man — and such he really has been all 
 through life — becoming so interested in work designed 
 for the good of others. He is a marvel to me in this 
 respect." 
 
 Janet knew the secret, although she cared not to tell 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 213 
 
 any one, but on the next day she had another interview 
 with Mr. Foster. It had much about it which was sad, 
 but it had its redeeming features, for he listened earnestly 
 to her words of comfort and consolation, and rejoiced in 
 them. She never saw him after that day, for the weary 
 spirit needed rest, and found it. 
 
 There was a very kind and friendly co-operation 
 existing between the inmates of Wyndham College and 
 those associated with the " Homes on the Crescent." The 
 gardener at the College was only too happy to have an 
 extension of work in which the young ladies could help, 
 and this had been secured by relieving the Lady Super- 
 intendent of the care of the grounds in front of the 
 Crescent. These had been carefuUy laid out, and the 
 supply of potting plants, and the keeping of the beds in 
 nice order, necessitated much care and attention. An- 
 other pleasing feature was the opportunity it gave for win- 
 dow gardening, thus supplying an additional element of 
 pleasure for the inmates, and making their comfortable 
 rooms look bright and cheerful. The Lady Principal 
 also arranged for the students to give up one evening in 
 every alternate week for a working party, for supplying 
 various needs for the sick and infirm, and for an annual 
 sale of work, which would enable the students to render 
 useful, but unobtrusive help. The attendance upon the 
 invalids was, of course, strictly limited to the nurses and 
 those officially engaged, but the close association of the 
 instruction given in the sanitary department of the 
 College, and the nursing in the Homes, familiarised the 
 minds of the senior pupils with some of the kindliest acts 
 which fall to woman's lot to perform. 
 
 Apart, however, from all the personal and pecuniary 
 
214 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 advantages of women being intelligent and skilful, it is 
 impossible to overlook their influence on the minds of the 
 young. The education of young children begins at a 
 much earlier period than we generally recognise. There 
 is much truth in the caution which Mrs. Webster gave to 
 Ann Oliver, for little do we know how early the mind of 
 a child receives its first impressions. How feebly do we 
 recognise the great importance of taking care that such 
 early education influences the mind with love and gentle 
 kindness, rather than by examples of anger and ill-will. 
 It has been well said that " lessons to infants are like ink 
 on fair paper, but lessons to men are like ink on foul 
 paper," and thus ignorance has been regarded as a crowd 
 of errors, rather than an entire want of knowledge. The 
 education in Wyndham College — valuable as it was as a 
 means for promoting domestic comfort and pecuniary 
 advantages — would have lost a large share of its useful 
 influence, had it not indirectly contributed, in a material 
 degree, to the physical and mental improvement of the 
 succeeding generation. Health of body and strength of 
 mind, are blessings for which our greatest and noblest 
 men are in no small degree indebted to the intelligence 
 and sound constitutions of their mothers. 
 
CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 The fact of Professor Nicholson coming to the Abbotts 
 with his wife, for a portion of the vacation, was not only 
 a pleasure to Jack and Janet, but many of his friends 
 looked forward to seeing him with much interest. As a 
 matter of fact, he was the foundation stone of an edifice 
 which was now beginning to show itself in noble pro- 
 portions. As a Science Master in Wrexborough, he had 
 entered upon the work of giving instruction in the Prin- 
 ciples of Agriculture, some years before this time. He, 
 like many others, might have toiled on for years uncared 
 for and unnoticed, but a series of incidents conspired to 
 encourage him in his work, and to mark it with success. 
 Possessing as he did, not only a practical acquaintance 
 with farming, but also a knowledge of the sciences asso- 
 ciated with it, he had the best means for blending these 
 into a consistent and harmonious union. Hence, when 
 men of experience listened to him, he commanded their 
 confidence for those things which they did not know, 
 because they found him correct and reasonable with the 
 matters which they did understand. Herein, then, lay 
 much of his success as a teacher of Agricultural Science, 
 and many in the neighbourhood of Wrexborough had 
 reaped the fruits of his labours in their midst. The 
 stream of time had been flowing freely along, and many 
 
216 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 were the changes which had taken place in the neigh- 
 bourhood, as well as amongst themselves. It seemed 
 like old times to see Mr. and Mrs. Holmes, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Forbes, with the Doctor and Jack meeting him again, 
 and all were quite prepared to review some of their early 
 discussions. It is true there were now some additions 
 to the group, but these only enhanced the pleasure of 
 the gathering. 
 
 " Did you ever get over your troubles in the dairy, 
 Mrs. Forbes^" asked Dr. Whichcord. "When we used 
 to meet at the Holt you were sadly troubled about the 
 cheese-making." 
 
 "Thanks to Jack's help," said Mrs. Forbes, "we 
 have Uttle to complain of, and I think we are now mak- 
 ing better quality cheeses than ever. This last summer 
 has been cold, and the grass poor, but the meal and extra 
 dry food kept the milk quite right. But we never got 
 over that bread -making question Professor Nicholson 
 once put to us. I think we rather came to the conclu- 
 sion that the alum in the flour, was the cause of much of 
 the difference. I would hke to get that matter cleared 
 up, for it is of consequence, of course." 
 
 "You are quite right," said the Doctor, "and now 
 we are met in conclave, I propose that we hear what the 
 Professor has to say." 
 
 "My impression," said Professor Nicholson, "is that 
 alum is often very injudiciously employed. Cautiously 
 used, it appears to exercise an important influence upon 
 flour, preventing any excessive action of the yeast or other 
 fermenting matter, and thus far it favours an increased 
 production of bread. Many dark samples of wheat flour, 
 also appear to be improved in colour by the brightening 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 217 
 
 up which the alum gives. But, on the other hand, the 
 action of the alum is somewhat unfavourable to the easy 
 digestion of the bread, by reason of its action on the 
 phosphates present In any case, the alum should only 
 be used in very minute proportions ; but, for my own 
 part, I would rather have my bread somewhat darker 
 in colour, than please the eye at the cost of an attack of 
 dyspepsia, and having to call in the doctor," 
 
 "I am fearful," said Dr. Whichcord, "that the medi- 
 cal profession will be falling to a discount, if precautions 
 such as these are taken on all sides to lessen our practice. 
 However this may be, I am sufficiently disinterested to 
 say that I am proud of the work going on in Wyndham 
 College, and I shall be very much out of my calculations, 
 if that institution does not contribute greatly to the 
 health, as well as to the wealth and happiness of thou- 
 sands. But how is Eodney College progressing f 
 
 "You know, I suppose, that Jack has just been 
 chosen as an Examiner for the Diploma Candidates," 
 said Professor Nicholson. "The College and Hall are 
 both full, and a thorough good lot of workers we have. But 
 is it any wonder that we are always full of students, when 
 you consider how very few of these Colleges there are in 
 the United Kingdom '? One here, and one there, are all 
 we can boast of, but in the United States they are much 
 more prudent. They have no less than forty Agricul- 
 tural Colleges, and thoroughly well conducted." 
 
 "I visited some of those Colleges when over there," 
 said Charlie Webster, " and I can give you my word for 
 it, that they are far ahead of us now, and that they are 
 still gaining upon us. I commend them for their pluck 
 and good judgment, and would gladly see their example 
 
218 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 followed over here. And I tell you where they beat us 
 again, and that is in the education of girls and young 
 women." 
 
 "You must not forget Wyndham College, Charlie," 
 said Janet. 
 
 " Wyndham College is very good indeed, so far as it 
 goes," said Charlie Webster. "If you had twenty or 
 thirty such Colleges in different parts of the kingdom, 
 one would think that some attention was really being 
 given to the subject. Look again at the work done by 
 the paid ofl&cials in the different States — professional 
 men of really superior ability — and you will see that 
 they recognise the importance of rendering every assist- 
 ance to agriculture, not simply for the sake of private 
 interests, but as a source of national wealth. Take the 
 statistical reports published, and you will see that they 
 can measure the progress and success of the country, as 
 perfectly as you can tell the temperature of this room 
 by that thermometer. Their microscopic and botanical 
 investigations, are perfect models of research Talking 
 about that reminds me of the investigations they 
 have carried out into the action of the Australian gum 
 trees (Eucalyptus globulus) which are most important, 
 and let me recommend you to have some planted near 
 the 'Homes on the Crescent,' and also on your College 
 ground." 
 
 " So you want them to go in for growing timber, do 
 you, Mr. Charlie?" said Mr. Forbes; " some folks don't 
 recommend that sort of thing, you may know." 
 
 "I am listening, Mr. Forbes, very carefully," said 
 Jack, " but he does not recommend them to grow timber 
 on ploughed land, as some folk do that we know, but to 
 
PKACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 219 
 
 stand in the grass on the lawn, and catch fever germs 
 and such like things." 
 
 " I never heard of trees catching the fever, any more 
 than the measles," said Mr. Forbes. 
 
 "There is one advantage," said Jack, "for if these 
 trees catch these germs of fever and other diseases, there 
 is so much less danger of other people having their com- 
 pany. These trees and the germs of these diseases have 
 a very strong affection for each other, and the conse- 
 quence is that when these germs are floating about in 
 the air, the trees get the preference to any of us, and 
 they are quite welcome to it for me. In this way the air 
 is purified, and certainly made safer for us poor mortals." 
 
 "Here is another blow at the medical profession," 
 said the Doctor. " Have some planted, by all means, as 
 you suggest ; but I would really like to know what we 
 may expect to follow." 
 
 "That is just my idea. Doctor," said Mr. Forbes. 
 " Can't they find any trees that catch gold-dust 1 If so, 
 I would like to have some of that sort." 
 
 "I did know one," said Mrs. Holmes, fixing her eye 
 upon her husband as she spoke. " It was not ten miles 
 from the Holt, but we have saved it that trouble for 
 some years past, and seen the gold safe in the bank in- 
 stead, much to my comfort and my husband's." 
 
 " There are many pleasing memories surrounding the 
 Great Willow Tree," said Mr. Holmes, "and some happy 
 associations which I trust will never pass from my mind." 
 
 " But why should we not have the Australian Gum 
 Trees planted near our dairies 1" inquired Jack. 
 
 "I see no reason whatever against it," said Professor 
 Nicholson ; " it is certain that they would purify the air, 
 
220 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 and help to prevent any offensive matter entering the 
 dairy. Mrs. Holmes and Mrs. Forbes have both experi- 
 enced the trouble and loss, which arise in consequence of 
 foul air in the dairy." 
 
 "But you must not forget your own home," said 
 Mabel Nicholson. " Have you not something here worth 
 preserving, quite as much as any dairy produce?" 
 
 "I thank you very much, Mabel, for bringing the 
 matter home so pointedly," said Jack; "and I will ask 
 you to do me the favour of planting one of the number 
 we need, so that I may identify your visit to the Abbotts 
 with your happy suggestion." 
 
 "How are you finding the apprentices going onf' 
 inquired Dr. Whichcord. 
 
 " Capitally," said Janet. " It is thus far most success- 
 ful, both with the boys and girls. The restraining in- 
 fluences come into force, before they reahse the controlling 
 power which guides them. To a very great extent they 
 are kept right, and promise to grow up in the proper 
 form and direction. Compare it for a moment with the 
 shoot of a plant ; you bend it and train it with perfect 
 ease when it is young and tender, because there is no 
 resistance. As age advances it becomes difficult to guide, 
 and at length the branch is really beyond control It is 
 unreasonable to allow boys and girls to grow up into 
 reckless and bad habits, and delay until then helping 
 them to be good men and women." 
 
 " When these boys and girls are out of their ap- 
 prenticeships," said Jack, "they will have been well 
 trained for their several duties ; they will be good and 
 competent servants, and in our cases — although some 
 may say we are not paying them enough — they can save 
 
PEACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 221 
 
 about £28 each to begin the world with on their own 
 responsibilities. Now, what is probably of equal im- 
 portance, is the fact that they will, have got into settled 
 habits of life, and we may hope, with feelings of respect 
 for those by whom they have been trained. Besides this 
 they will be in a capital position for meeting the require- 
 ments of an excellent scheme proposed by the Eev. W. L. 
 Blackley, for making provision for sickness and old age. 
 In fact, this plan is to do away with the present system 
 of maintaining paupers at the expense of the provident 
 and industrious." 
 
 "What is that plan?" inquired Mr. Forbes. "I 
 would be right down glad to do away with the Poor 
 Eates." 
 
 "This gentleman," said Jack, "places the matter in 
 a very simple and straightforward form, and I have the 
 outline here^ in his own words. I will give you some of 
 the propositions he lays down." 
 
 " * That" it is every man's duty to make proper pro- 
 vision against sickness and old age.' 
 
 " 'Every working man in England is able, if willing, 
 at a certain period of life, to make a due and sufficient 
 provision against sickness and old age.' 
 
 " ' It is not unjust that our laws, which now compel 
 the provident few to support the improvident many, 
 should compel these latter to support themselves, if a 
 practical means of doing so can be found.' 
 
 " ' We may place the average wages of a man of 
 
 twenty at fifteen shillings per week or even less. If on 
 
 these wages hundreds of thousands support themselves, 
 
 their wives, and families, none will deny that a young 
 
 ^ Nineteenth Century, No. 81. 
 
222 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 bachelor can, if he will, live, and Hve well, on nine shill- 
 ings weekly. If he would exercise just so much self- 
 denial for one year, he might by one payment of £15, 
 secure aid in sickness to the amount of eight shillings a 
 week, till he reached seventy years of age, and a pension of 
 four shillings weekly from that age till death. Thus we 
 see there is a period in the life of every working man in 
 which he can, if he will, render himself independent, dur- 
 ing his whole lifetime, of parochial relief. 
 
 " ' The periods of payment should be fixed as might 
 seem most convenient to the payer, either six shillings 
 weekly for one year, or three shillings for two years, or 
 two shillings for three years.' 
 
 "I may add," said Jack, "that it is proposed that 
 these payments should be sent to a Government fund 
 through the Post Offices, and a Government guarantee 
 given, which will put aside all doubt as to the safety of 
 the investment. Mr. Blackley makes this inquiry amongst 
 many others : — 
 
 '"Is it fair that tens of thousands of sturdy young 
 labourers should be able to spend, as they do, from five 
 to ten shillings weekly in the only way they know how, 
 namely, in drink, with the certainty that I must one day 
 be taxed to support them when in want V 
 
 " I did not expect to hear of another novelty to-night," 
 said Mr. Forbes. "It is a capital plan; but how about 
 the young women 1" 
 
 " They would pay just the same," said Jack. " They 
 are equally liable to sickness and old age. You see our 
 apprentices could pay the charges easily, and still have a 
 nice little sum — say £13 — left in hand. I should like to 
 see it made compulsory, and thus we should gradually 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 223 
 
 reduce pauperism. Some may object to this compulsion, 
 but they must not forget that the careful and provident 
 are now under compulsion to support the careless and 
 improvident." 
 
 "I, also," said the Doctor, "object to so much com- 
 pulsion. I am sorry to say that Time compels me to 
 leave a circle of friends whose association I value very 
 highly. Farewell" 
 
CHAPTER XXX, 
 
 ** Be still, sad heart ! and cease repining ; 
 Behind the clouds is the sun still shining ; 
 Thy fate is the common fate of all, 
 Into each life some rain must fall, 
 
 Some day must be dark and dreary. 
 
 Jack was sitting in his inquiry room in a very contempla- 
 tive mood on the evening of the last day in 18 — , when his 
 reverie was arrested by these words, as they were warbled 
 by Janet in an adjoining room. He had often heard the 
 song before, but never had the words seemed so appropri- 
 ate to himself, as in that moment of depression. Atten- 
 tive to his call to sing that song again, Janet complied 
 with his wish, and then joined him in his retirement. 
 
 "I am sadly disappointed with the position of my 
 farm account," said Jack. "I have just made up my 
 books for the past year, and I have a small loss instead 
 of a good profit, and at present things look bad for the 
 future of farming," 
 
 "^This does not surprise me," said Janet "Can you 
 imagine that agricultural depression should rest upon 
 every farm except the Abbotts'? On all sides heavy 
 losses are said to have been made, and in most cases they 
 are very much greater than your own. * Thy fate is not 
 the common fate of all.' If we are favoured beyond 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 225 
 
 others, we must be thankful that things are no worse, 
 and look hopefully onwards, for ' There's a lining of silver 
 to every cloud.' But there are some things you have 
 not taken into your calculation, and as the account books 
 have told their tale, let us look after the omissions. As 
 regards ourselves we have had much — yes, very much — 
 domestic comfort and happiness. Our little treasure is 
 growing up in health and strength, promising to be as 
 full of mischief as I hear his father was in his early days. 
 Put these into the valuation, and you will see I have placed 
 the balance on the other side. But I now want you to 
 review some other subjects, and, first of all, tell me how 
 far you think you are succeeding with the Rodney Club." 
 
 "The leading feature of the year," said Jack, "has 
 certainly been the marriage of Tom Hughes and Annie 
 Watkins, and I hear that she makes a capital wife. No 
 person could have changed more than she has, for you 
 remember her stupid notions about ' menial work ' and 
 'miserable lady-helps.'" 
 
 " You must not be severe upon her," said Janet. 
 " For a time she was blinded by a film of prejudice, but 
 her sister's trial and danger brushed it roughly aside, and 
 then her true position was revealed to her. I believe she 
 will be one of the best little wives in Christendom, and 
 I should think very happily settled." 
 
 "All except for these bad times," said Jack, "for 
 they are a sore trouble to farmers ; still Tom Hughes has 
 stood the storm fairly well for sucl^ seasons." 
 
 "But are not these bad times a very good reason 
 why he should have a good wife to share his troubles 1 " 
 asked Janet. " Did he not want a good wife to help 
 him to surmount them 1 " 
 
 Q 
 
226 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 "I have no doubt she will do so," said Jack, "but as 
 she was when you first knew her, she would have been 
 an incumbrance in time of trouble." 
 
 " If we look at her sister Clara," said Janet, " there 
 again we may feel that some good has been done, for she 
 is now rapidly distinguishing herself by her medical 
 studies. I even hope the day may come when we shall 
 see her in charge of the Homes on the Crescent. Not 
 that I have a word to say against the Lady Superintend- 
 ent, but I know she is likely to go into private practice 
 on her own account in a few years." 
 
 "I forgot to tell you," said Jack, "that Mr. Thomas, 
 who was under treatment at the Homes in consequence 
 of his accident, has just sent the Committee £500, ex- 
 pressing his high appreciation of the value of the Homes, 
 and of their good management, adding that he desired to 
 assist in maintaining their efficiency for others. I also 
 hear that the medical men of the district are sending 
 some important cases, requiring special treatment which 
 can scarcely be secured in private houses, even when 
 they have plenty of money." 
 
 "These Homes," said Janet, "are being valued by 
 many, who would not like the idea of going into a hos- 
 pital. After all, the ' Homes on the Crescent ' is a prefer- 
 able designation, and I think they deserve the title, for 
 they look so thoroughly homely and comfortable. I 
 noticed that the gardener at the College, is getting 
 them rapidly covered with plant- growth correspond- 
 ing with their names. They will look very pretty in 
 a few years, when covered with roses and woodbine 
 in bloom, the plants being kept nicely trained and 
 trimmed." 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 227 
 
 " Have you heard how the Provident Sick Clubs and 
 the Maternity Clubs are proceeding?" asked Jack. 
 
 "Mrs. Duckworth informed me recently," said Janet, 
 "that the Maternity Clubs are being very generally 
 established in the district, and these alone are likely to 
 demand the greater portion of the rooms already pro- 
 vided. I hope that institution will be a great blessing 
 to many a home and many a mother. The sick clubs 
 are, of course, of slower growth. How capitally Mr. 
 Blackley's scheme would help in such cases, for then the 
 sick would have secured the sick pay to help them at 
 such a time." 
 
 " There is much about that scheme which commends 
 it to favour," said Jack, " and the more it is examined 
 into, the higher I believe it will rise in estimation. It 
 appears that in Germany a far less perfect system is 
 adopted, and the employers of male and female servants 
 are bound by law to deduct from their wages the 
 payments that are due even to their clubs, and no diffi- 
 culty arises about it. How much more simple is the pro- 
 posal now made. One great difficulty in all friendly 
 societies arises, when, in consequence of any interruption 
 in his employment, a member is unable to continue the 
 payments in a regular manner, for in such cases there is 
 great danger of the work of years being suddenly lost. 
 Even assuming that these societies are solvent and well 
 managed, a member is thus always in danger of losing 
 his property. If, however, it were done under Govern- 
 ment control in the manner proposed, this risk would be 
 entirely set aside. Nor can we over-value the import- 
 ance of a payment once made, securing the advantages 
 of aid in sickness and assistance in old age, especially as 
 
228 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 that payment is made at a time of life when lessons of 
 economy may be advantageously learnt." 
 
 " But do you not think," said Janet, " that it would 
 also tend to diminish the pauperised spirit which is now 
 so general ? To draw from these funds would be no more 
 a discredit, than to draw a cheque on your banker." 
 
 " That is perfectly correct," said Jack ; " and I think 
 it could not fail to be an early step in the direction of 
 establishing provident habits." 
 
 " After all, human nature, with all its frailties, is not 
 as bad as some suppose," said Janet. "It is important 
 to remember that we are not dealing with animated 
 machines. Nothing could be more satisfactory than the 
 change we can see in our own people, and really in a 
 very short time. Well do I remember Mary Murch's 
 reply to me, when I asked her if her husband could buy 
 a cow, if it could be kept for her. 'Bless you, ma'am,' 
 she said, * the like of we be thankful if we can live, but 
 we can't save anything ; 'tis enough sometimes to keep 
 body and soul together.' I question if there is now a 
 prouder woman in the parish than she is, but it is a right 
 and proper pride, and I commend her for it. She knows 
 that her husband and herself have gained a respectable 
 position ; they have a comfortable home, their own cow 
 and some pigs, and if you went into her cottage now, 
 you would find a couple of flitches of bacon hanging up 
 under the kitchen ceiling. From all I have heard you 
 say, I suppose Thomas Murch works as hard as ever." 
 
 "Better, decidedly better," said Jack. "In fact, he 
 has more strength for his work ; he goes into it with 
 good heart and warm interest for its success. So far as 
 I am concerned, the cost to myself has been repaid to 
 
PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 229 
 
 me over and over again. Never was this more clearly 
 shown than in this last harvest, for the men worked as 
 if the crops had been their own." 
 
 "Do you think you made any sacrifice in helping the 
 men, by keeping the cows for themf asked Janet. 
 
 "I consider that as a simple matter of business," said 
 Jack, " they paid me a fair price for supplying the cows, 
 but, whilst I lost nothing, they gained considerably by 
 it, and it has certainly given them a start in the right 
 direction. I cannot imagine any of them drifting back 
 into their previous state, which was a miserable struggle 
 for life. The other men know the value of the help, 
 for a proof was given of this when Murch and King 
 removed to the new cottages in the meadow. The 
 opi^ortunities of having the cottages they had occupied, 
 and the cows they had used were almost prayed for, 
 and, thanks to your kindness, all the women in the 
 cottages now know how to make a profitable use of the 
 milk." 
 
 "You have no doubt noticed the difference in the 
 children," said Janet; "for since they have had more 
 milk in their food, and have had good vegetables and 
 properly cooked food, they have grown and put on a 
 healthy appearance quite pleasing to look upon. I quite 
 intended to have commenced a Penny Bank in Leaside, 
 and I really must see about it shortly. The poor gene- 
 rally are sadly behindhand in learning the value of pence, 
 and the Penny Banks are doing a very good work in this 
 respect. It will, of course, be affiliated with the Post- 
 office Savings Bank, but I shall simply follow out the 
 system explained in the Penny Banks' number of the 
 Provident Kjiowledge Society's papers, by Mr. G. C. T. 
 
230 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 Bartley. And how is the work of your Education 
 Committee proceeding?" 
 
 "We are making steady progress," said Jack; "but 
 not as rapid as I hoped for. Just at the present time 
 there is, as you know, a terrible depression amongst 
 farmers generally. This has had a tendency to encourage 
 the attendence on the science lectures in' the district, 
 for there are many who want to know what to be up to 
 for the best. Some of the best farmers in the district 
 are ready to help me with my proposed experiments, and 
 I am greatly in hopes that good results will arise. The 
 action taken by the County Agricultural Society will 
 also be most useful, for I have no doubt they will estab- 
 lish a second scholarship next year, and thus regularly 
 send a couple of farmers' sons to Rodney College. These 
 will, I hope, follow the example of the Wrexborough 
 scholars, and strive to be useful in their respective 
 neighbourhoods. " 
 
 The time was now approaching for a new apprentice 
 boy to be taken on, who, together with Bill Moore, would 
 be put under Donald Macpherson's care. Edward 
 Gower would then succeed to Bill Moore's duties with 
 the shepherd, whilst Bill would give his time to help 
 the man in charge of the cattle. As years rolled on, 
 each would be advanced in succession to work with the 
 horses, and take part in all the farm labour. An 
 apprentice girl was also to be taken into the house, for 
 the progress of those engaged for the College and for 
 the Homes gave great encouragement for an extension 
 of the system. Who can doubt that as these boys and 
 girls grow up in life, the fact of each having saved 
 money with which to begin housekeeping, will encourage 
 
PKACTICE WITH SCIENCE. 231 
 
 them to look with favour upon those who have done the 
 same. In course of time such lads will become thoroughly 
 competent farm labourers,^ who, having been trained in 
 all kinds of farm work, will be proportionately more 
 valuable to their employers. 
 
 The clouds which for a time overshadowed the 
 prospects of the farming interest soon began to disperse, 
 and the revival of commercial prosperity, and more 
 favourable weather, gjive an impetus to agriculture which 
 it sorely needed." The influence of the agricultural 
 depression upon Jack's mind, was distinctly calculated to 
 make him sympathise with others far more deeply than 
 he could have done, had he only known one continued 
 flow of prosperity. It is true that he sipped but lightly 
 of the draught ; still he knew something of its bitterness, 
 and he could therefore feel for others who had been 
 compelled to drink more deeply. 
 
 But another change was about to take place, for, in 
 consequence of Mr. Thompson's serious illness, it became 
 necessary to superannuate him, and appoint a new agent 
 for the estate. Mr. and Mrs. Woodford at once decided 
 upon Jack as the proper successor to the appointment. 
 In communicating this decision to Jack, Mr. Woodford 
 conveyed to him warm expressions of his confidence in his 
 ability and integrity, and he concluded his letter by 
 saying, 
 
 "I hope the good management I have seen at the 
 Abbotts may, under your guidance, extend throughout my 
 estate, and as 'a threefold bond is not easily broken,' I 
 desire to see the interests of the landlord, the tenant, 
 and the labourer more generally and more permanently 
 strengthened." 
 
232 THE ABBOTTS FARM. 
 
 "It is evident," said Jack, "that I have in a great 
 measure to thank a dear good wife for this valuable 
 appointment. You see the Sc^uire quotes the words you 
 used at the first harvest supper, and no doubt he and 
 Mrs. Woodford see that you have largely succeeded in 
 carrying your ideas into reality." 
 
 "You must cease," said Janet, "speaking of the 
 work and the ideas as mine — they are ours — and if I 
 have in any degree contributed to your success, I have 
 only discharged a pleasing duty, and I reap a full recom- 
 pense in seeing my husband rewarded for anything we 
 have been enabled to do." 
 
 THE END. 
 
 Printed by R. & R. Clark, Edinburgh. 
 
[IN PREPARATION.] 
 BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 Elementary Lessons in Agricultural Science. 
 
 BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 FIRST PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURE. 
 
 THIRD EDITION. 18mo. PRICE ONE SHILLING. 
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 The Farmer. 
 
 "This is a most useful and practical little book, explaining, simply 
 and forcibly, in clear and definite language, the elements of science as 
 applied to the art of agriculture." 
 
 The Mark Lane Express.' 
 
 ' ' There is a large amount of valuable information condensed in the 
 ninety-five pages of this little book. As an agricultural primer it is well 
 compiled and sufficiently comprehensive." 
 
 The Country. 
 
 " Professor Tanner's ' First Principles of Agriculture ' is a small work 
 of less than 100 pages. "Within that compass, however, he has managed 
 to include a great deal of information useful to students and practical 
 agriculturists. He explains difficult subjects by very happy illustrations 
 and comparisons from common facts, making the pages of the little book 
 as interesting to read as useful to inform. " 
 
 The Schoolmaster. 
 
 *' It is the best elementary book on the subject which has been brought 
 under our notice. We cordially recommend it to all students and teachers 
 of this most important science." 
 
 The Scotsman. 
 
 '* The outline Professor Tanner has furnished is singularly comprehen- 
 sive, and brings prominently into view the most important aspects, both 
 scientific and economic, of the subject. The style of the book is simple 
 and intelligible, and very few technical terms are used." 
 
 "Worcester Journal. 
 
 " It is carefully written, and within the compass of a hundred pages, 
 gives a comprehensive view of the earliest science, and most practised art 
 of tilling the ground, and the feeding of cattle." 
 
 R 
 
OPINIONS OF THE VRESS—Continued. 
 
 Gloucestershire Chronicle. 
 
 " As an introductory manual to the practice of farming, as well as a 
 clear exposition of a subject of general interest, these * First Principles of 
 Agriculture, ' by Professor Tanner, deserve to be •warmly commended for 
 wide study." 
 
 The "Western Times. 
 
 " That master of any science or art does a work of the highest benefit 
 to the community who condenses its essentials into the narrowest compass 
 consistent with perspicuity. To this work Professor Tanner has here 
 applied his well-known ability." 
 
 Daily Chronicle. 
 " It is a modest and unpretending handbook, explaining-in clear, simple, 
 and terse language, Nature's laws as applied to the science — for science it 
 has become — of agriculture. As such, we not only welcome its apearance, 
 but also heartily recommend it to our readers." 
 
 Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard. 
 
 " The present volume cannot fail to be read with interest by all those 
 engaged in agricultural pursuits, and we trust that before many years have 
 elapsed, the author wfll favour us with a larger book on the subject. " 
 
 Iiive Stock Journal. 
 
 "This is a manual which ought to be in the hands of every farmer, and 
 in use in every school in our agricultural districts. As might be expected 
 from the name of the author, it is clear, concise, exceedingly readable, but 
 intensely practical, and cram-full of valuable and reliable facts. " 
 
 Hereford Journal. 
 " In these days of foreign competition, it behoves an agriculturist to 
 know all he can about his business, in order that he may extract all the 
 profit possible out of both soil and stock. This little book will aid him in 
 acquiring this knowledge, and to its pages we therefore send him." 
 
 Gloucester Journal. 
 
 "It's gold; all gold." 
 
 The Agricultural Students* Gazette. 
 
 " It is very pleasing to find one of our earliest students contributing of 
 his ripe experience a valuable addition to the literature of Agriculture. 
 The book cannot fail to be as popular as we believe it will be useful, alike 
 to the students of the present and of the future. But it is not only on 
 account of its author being the Senior Member of our College that we 
 welcome the book. On reading it carefully through, we are struck with 
 its lucid and simple style, its systematic arrangement, its brief though 
 forcible presentation of facts, its clear and sound arguments, and its 
 eminently instructive form throughout." 
 
 MACMILLAN AND CO., LONDON. 
 
BY THE SAME AUTBOK. 
 
 JACK'S EDUCATION; 
 
 OR, 
 
 HOW HE LEARNT FARMING. 
 
 PRICE FOUR SHILLINGS. 
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 Agricultural Gazette. 
 " It is a capital picture of the five or six years of farm and college 
 training which lie between the last of schoolboy days and the settlement 
 on a farm of one's own. It is a very satisfactory little book." 
 Live Stock Journal. 
 "We commend this book to every farmer. He could not give his 
 boys a more useful, and, at the same time, entertaining volume as a 
 Chiistmas box." 
 
 The Schoolmaster. 
 " If it had been called * Agricultural Science made Easy and Interest- 
 ing,' the title would have been fully borne out by the book." 
 Chamber of Agriculture Joxirnal. 
 " The Professor has succeeded in writing a book which tells country 
 folk a good deal they ought to know ; and what is still more important, 
 he contrives to interest his readers in the endeavour now made to make 
 scientific instruction a reality, and to claim for it a thoroughly practical 
 use in the every-day work of agriculture." 
 
 Sherborne Journal. 
 " The author has not only made a readable book, but has managed to 
 cram it full of useful, practical, and scientific hints, so that even the 
 farmer, who is not usually fond of reading, having once begun the book, 
 will hardly put it doAvn before finishing it, and when he has done so, it is 
 quite certain he will take away with him much food for profitable reflec- 
 tion. " 
 
 Nature. 
 •' The story is both instructive and interesting, and we recommend it 
 to all interested in 'technical' education." 
 
 Gloucestershire Chronicle. 
 " Professor Tanner must be congratulated on his success in this novel 
 work. He has written a book which is highly entertaining, which gives 
 a pleasant picture of English agricultural life, and which proves to demon- 
 stration the advantages which science is conferring upon agriculture." 
 "Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard. 
 "We have read every line of it from beginning to end with much in- 
 terest. Few indeed are the farmers who may not find something to be 
 learnt from the solid instruction so happily blended with amusement in 
 its pages, and we heartily recommend it to their notice. " 
 Hereford Times. 
 " We may warmly recommend this little volume to all young farmers, 
 to all preparing for a farmer's career, and to all interested in agriculture. 
 Professor Tanner had a happy idea, and he has carried it out in a happy 
 style." 
 
MACMILLAN'S SCIENCE PRIMERS. 
 
 UNDER THE JOINT EDITORSHIP OP 
 
 Professors HUXLEY, ROSCOE, and BALFOUR STEWART. 
 
 18mo, Cloth, niiistrated. Is. each. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY. By Prof. Huxley, F.R.S. 
 
 CHEMISTRY. By Prof. Roscoe, F.R.S. With Questions. 
 
 PHYSICS. By Prof. B. Stewart, F.R.S. With Questions. 
 
 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. By Prof. Geikie, F.R.S. With 
 Questions. 
 
 GEOLOGY. By Pro£ Geikie, F.R.S. 
 
 PHYSIOLOGY. By M. Foster, M.D., F.R.S. 
 
 ASTRONOMY. By J. N. Lockyer, F.R.S. 
 
 BOTANY. By Sir J. D. Hooker, K.C.S.I., F.R.S. 
 
 LOGIC. By Prof. Jevons, F.R.S. 
 
 POLITICAL ECONOMY. By Prof. Jevons, F.R.S. 
 
 Others to follow. 
 
 MACMILLAN AND CO., LONDON. 
 
Bedford Street, Strand, London, W.C. 
 December ^ 1879. 
 
 Macmillan &■ Co:s Catalogue of Works 
 in the Departments of History, Biography, 
 Travels, Critical and Literary Essays, 
 Politics, Political and Social Economy^ 
 Law, etc.; and Works connected with Lan- 
 guage, 
 
 HISTORY3 BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, &c. 
 
 Albemarle.— FIFTY YEARS OF MY LIFE. By George 
 Thomas, Earl of Albemarle. With Steel Portrait of the first Earl 
 of Albemarle, engraved by Jeens. Third and Cheaper Edition. 
 Crown Svo. ']s. l>ii. 
 ** 77;*? book is one of the 77iost amusing of its class. . . . These remi- 
 niscences have the charm and flavour of personal experience, and they 
 bring us into direct contact with the persons they describe.''^ — Edinburgh 
 Review. 
 
 Anderson.— MANDAL AY TO MOMIEN ; a Narrative of the 
 Two Expeditions to Western China, of 1868 and 18715, under 
 Colonel E. B. Sladen and Colonel Horace Browne. By Dr. 
 Anderson, F.R.S.E., Medical and Scientific Officer to the Ex- 
 peditions. With numerous Maps and Illustrations. Svo. 2.li. 
 *' A pleasant, useful, caj'efully-zvritten, and important work.^' — 
 
 Atiien^um. 
 
 Appleton. — Works by T. G. Appleton :— 
 
 A NILE JOURNAL. Illustrated by Eugene Benson. Crown 
 
 Svo. 6s. 
 SYRIAN SUNSHINE. Crown Svo. 6s. 
 
 Arnold (M.)— ESSAYS IN CRITICISM. By Matthew 
 Arnold. New Edition, Revised and Enlarged. Crown Svo. 9^. 
 
 Arnold (VV. T.)— the ROMAN SYSTEM OF PROVIN- 
 CIAL ADMINISTRATION TO THE ACCESSION OF 
 CONSTANTINE THE GREAT. Beingf the Arnold Prize 
 Essay for 1879. By W. T. Arnold, B.A. Crown Svo. 6s, 
 
2 MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN 
 
 Atkinson.— AN ART TOUR TO NORTHERN CAPITALS 
 OF EUROPE, including Descriptions of the Towns, the Museums, 
 and other Art Treasures of Copenhagen, Christiania, Stockholm, 
 Abo, Helsingfors, Wiborg, St Petersburg, Moscow, and Kief. 
 By J. Beavington Atkinson. 8vo. \2s. 
 
 Bailey.— THE SUCCESSION TO THE ENGLISH CROWN. 
 A Historical Sketch. By A. Bailey, M.A., Barrister-at-Law. 
 Crown 8vo. "js. 6d. 
 
 Baker (Sir Samuel W.) — Works by Sir Samuel Baker, 
 Pacha, M.A., F.R.S., F.R.G.S. :— 
 
 CYPRUS AS I SAW IT IN 1879. With Frontispiece. 8vo. 
 1 2 J. 6d. 
 
 ISMAILIA : A Narrative of the Expedition to Central Africa for 
 
 the Suppression of the Slave Trade, organised by Ismail, Khedive 
 
 of Egypt. With Portraits, Map, and fifty full-page Illustrations 
 
 by ZwECKER and Durand. New and Cheaper Edition. With 
 
 New Preface. Crown 8vo. 6^-. 
 
 *^A book which zvill be read xvith v ay great interest.''^ — Times. ** Well 
 
 7uritten and full of remarkable adventures" — Pall Mall Gazette. 
 
 *^ Adds another thrilling chapter to the history of Afiican adventure." — 
 
 Daily News. '''•Reads more like a romance . . . . incomparably more 
 
 entertaining than books of AfHcan travel usually are." — Morning Post. 
 
 TPIE ALBERT N'YANZA Great Basin of the Nile, and Explora- 
 tion of the Nile Sources. Fifth Edition. Maps and Illustrations. 
 Crown 8vo. 6^. 
 " Charmingly ivritten;" says the Spectator, "/«//, as might be 
 expected, of incident, and free from that wearisome reiteration of useless 
 facts which is the drawback to almost all books of African travel.''^ 
 THE NILE TRIBUTARIES OF ABYSSINIA, and the Sword 
 Hunters of the Hamran Arabs. With Maps and Illustrations. 
 Sixth Edition. Cro\vn 8vo. 6j. 
 7'A^ Times says: '^It adds jniuh to our information respecting Egyptian 
 Abyssinia and th.- different races that spread over it. It contains, more- 
 ot/a', some notable instances of English daring and enterprising skill ; 
 it abounds in animated tales of exploits dear to the heart of the British 
 sportsman ; and it will attract n>en the least studious reader, as the author 
 tells a story well, and can describe nature with uncommon po^ver." 
 
 Bancroft.— THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 
 OF AMERICA, FROM THE DISCOVERY OF THE CON- 
 TINENT. By George Bancroft. New and thoroughly Re- 
 vised Edition. Six Vols. Crown 8vo. 54^ 
 
HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC. 3 
 
 Barker (Lady).— Works by Lady Barker :— 
 A YEAR'S HOUSEKEEPING IN SOUTH AFRICA. With 
 
 Illustrations. New and Cheaper Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s. 
 *' We have to tJiank Lady Barker for a very a??itismg book, over zuhich 
 we have spent many a delightful hour, and of zuhich lue ivill not take 
 leave without alluding to the ineffably droll illustratio7ts which add so very 
 much to the enjoyment of her clear and sparkling descriptions.'''' — Morning 
 Post. 
 
 Beesly. — STORIES FROM the history ok ROME. By 
 Mrs. Beesly. Extra fcap. 8vo. 2.s. 6d. 
 "A little book for which rvery cultivated and ijitelligent mother zuill be 
 grateful for.'" — EXAMINER. 
 
 Bismarck_IN THE FRANCO-GERMAN WAR. An Authorized 
 Translation from the German of Dr. MORITZ Busch. Two Vols. 
 Crown 8vo. \%s. 
 The Times says : — " The publication of Bismarck'' s after-dinner talk, 
 whether discreet or not, will be of priceless biographical value, and English- 
 men, at least, will not be disposed to quarrel with Dr. Busch for giving a 
 picture as true to life as BosT.velVs ^Johnson ' of the foremost practical 
 genius that Germany has produced since Frederick the Great. " 
 
 Blackburne.— BIOGRAPHY OF THE RIGHT HON. 
 FRANCIS BLACKBURNE, Late Lord Chancellor of Ireland. 
 Chiefly in connexion with his Public and Political Career. By his 
 Son, Edward Blackburne, Q.C. With Portrait Engraved by 
 
 JEENS. SvO. 12S. 
 
 Blanford (W. T.)— geology AND ZOOLOGY OF 
 ABYSSINIA. By W. T. Blanford. 8vo. 21s. 
 
 Bronte. — CHARLOTTE BRONTE. A Monograph. By T. 
 Wemyss Reid. With Illustrations. Third Edition. Crown 
 8vo. 6s. 
 
 Brooke. — THE RAJA OF SARAWAK : an Account of Sir 
 fames Brooke, K.C.B., LL.D, Given chiefly through Letters 
 or Journals. By Gertrude L. Jacob. With Portrait and 
 Maps. Two Vols. 8vo. 25J. 
 
 Bryce. — Works by James Bryce, D.C.L., Regius Professor of 
 Civil Law, Oxford :— 
 THE HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE. Sixth Edition, Revised and 
 
 Enlarged. Crown 8vo. "js. 6d. 
 *' It exactly supplies a want: it affords a key to much which mc7t 
 read of in their books as isolated facts, but of which they have hitherto 
 had no connected exposition set before ///^;«."— Saturday Review. ^ 
 
4 MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN 
 
 Bryce. — continued. 
 
 TRANSCAUCASIA AND ARARAT: being Notes of a Vacation 
 
 Tour in the Autumn of 1876. With an Illustration and Map. 
 
 Third Edition. Crown 8vo. 9^. 
 *^ Mr. Bryce has written a lively and at the same time an instructive 
 description of the tour he made last year in and abotit the Caucasus. When 
 so well-informed a jurist travels into regions seldom visited^ and even 
 walks up a mountain so rarely scaled as Ararat^ he is justified in think- 
 ing that the impressions he brings home are worthy of being communicated 
 to the world at large^ especially when a terrible war is casting a lurid glow 
 aver the countries he has lately surveyed.''^ — Athenaeum. 
 
 Burgoyne. — POLITICAL AND MILITARY EPISODES 
 DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THE REIGN OF 
 GEORGE III. Derived from the Life and Correspondence of 
 the Right Hon. J. Burgoyne, Lieut. -General in his Majesty's 
 Army, and M.P. for Preston. By E. B. de Fonblanque. With 
 Portrait, Heliotype Plate, and Maps. 8vo. i6s. 
 
 Burke.— EDMUND BURKE, a Historical Study. By John 
 Morley, B.A., Oxon. Crown 8vo. 7^. 6d, 
 
 Burrows.— WORTHIES OF ALL SOULS ; Four Centuries of 
 English History. Illustrated from the College Archives. By 
 Montagu Burrows, Chichele Professor of Modern Plistory at 
 Oxford, Fellow of All Souls. 8vo. 14J. 
 " A most amusing as well as a most instructive book. — Guardian. 
 
 Cameron.— OUR FUTURE highway. By V. Lovett 
 Cameron, C.B., Commander R.N. With Illustrations. 2 vols. 
 Crown 8vo. • \Shorily. 
 
 Campbell.— LOG-LETTERS FROM THE " CHALLENGER.'* 
 By Lord George Campbell. With Map. Fifth and cheaper 
 Edition. Crown 8vo. ^s. 
 **A delightful book, which we heartily commend to the general reader.'* 
 —Saturday Review. 
 
 ^^ We do not hesitate to say that anything so fresh, so picturesque, so 
 generally delightful, as these log-letters has not appeared among books o 
 travel for a long /////<?."— Examiner. 
 
 Campbell. — MY CIRCULAR NOTES : Extracts from Journals ; 
 Letters sent Home; Geological and other Notes, written while 
 Travelling Westwards round the World, from July 6th, 1874, to 
 July 6lh, 1875. ^y J- ^- Campbell, Author of ** Frost and 
 Fire." Cheaper Issue. Crown 8vo. 6j. 
 
HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC. 
 
 Campbell.— TURKS and GREEKS. Notes of a recent Ex- 
 cursion. By the Hon. Dudley Campbell, M.A. With Coloured 
 Map. Crown 8vo. y. 6ci. 
 
 Carpenter.— LIFE AND WORK OF MARY CARPENTER 
 By the Rev. J. E. Carpenter. \Yiih Portrait engraved by 
 Jeens. Crown 8vo. \_S/iortly. 
 
 Carstares.— WILLIAM CARSTARES : a Character and Career 
 of the Revolutionary Epoch (1649 — 1715). By Robert Story, 
 Minister of Rosneath. 8vo. 12s. 
 
 Chatterton : a BIOGRAPHICAL STUDY. By Daniel 
 Wilson, LL.D., Professor of History and English. Literature in 
 University College, Toronto. Crown 8vo. 6s. 6d. 
 
 Chatterton : a STORY OF ^THE YEAR 1770. By Professor 
 Masson, LL.D. Crown Svo. 5j. 
 
 Clark.— MEMORIALS FROM JOURNALS AND LETTERS 
 OF SAMUEL CLARK, M.A., formerly Principal of the 
 National Society's Training College, Battersea. Edited with 
 Introduction by his WiFE. With i'ortrait. Crown Svo. ^s. del. 
 
 Clifford (W. K.)— LECTURES AND ESSAYS. Edited by 
 Leslie Stephen and Frederick Pollock, with Introduction 
 by F. Pollock. Two Portraits. 2 voL. Svo, 25^-. 
 The Times of October 22, 1879, says: — '' Alany a friend of the 
 author on first takiig tip these volumes and rcDienibering his versatile 
 genius and his keen enjoyment cf all realms of intellectual activity must 
 have trembled lest they should be found to consist of fragmentary pieces of 
 work, too disconnected to do justice to his powers of consecutive reasoning 
 and too varied to have any effect as a whole. Fortuna'ely those fears are 
 groundless .... It is not only in stibject that the various papers are 
 closely related. There is also a singular consistency of view and of method 
 throughout .... It is in the social and metaphysical subjects that the 
 richness of his intellect sho7us itself most forcibly in the variety and 
 crigifiality of the ideas zuhich. he presents to us. Jo appreciate this variety, 
 it is necessaiy to read the book itself, for it treats, in some form or o'her, of 
 nearly all the subjects of deepest interest in this age of questioning.^^ 
 
 Combe. — the life of GEORGE combe. Author of "The 
 Constitution of Man." By Charles Gibbon. With Three 
 Portraits engraved by Jeens. Two Vols. Svo. ^is. 
 '^ A graphic and interesting account of the long life and indefatigable 
 
 labours of a very remarkable manj'^ — SCOTSMAN. 
 
6 MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN 
 
 Cooper. — ATHENyE CANTABRIGIENSES. By Charles 
 Henry Cooper, F.S.A., and Thompson Cooper, F.S.A. 
 Vol. T. 8vo., 1500—85, i&r. ; Vol. II., 1586— 1609, \%s. 
 
 Correggio.— ANTONIO ALLEGRI DA CORREGGIO. Fronv 
 the German of Dr. Julius Meyer, Director of the Royal Gallery, 
 Berlin. Edited, with an Introduction, by Mrs. Heaton. Con- 
 taining Twenty Woodbury-type Illustrations. Royal 8vo. Cloth, 
 elegant. 31^-. 6d. 
 
 Cox (G. V.)— RECOLLECTIONS OF OXFORD. By G. 
 V. Cox, M.A., New College, late Esquire Bedel and Coroner 
 in the University of Oxford. Cheaper Edition. Crown 8vo. 6j. 
 
 Cunynghame (Sir A. T.) — MY COMMAND IN SOUTH 
 
 AFRICA, 1874 — 78. Comprising Experiences of Travel in the 
 Colonies of South Africa and the Independent States. By Sir 
 Arthur Thurlow Cunynghame, G.C.B., then Lieutenant- 
 Governor and Commander of the Forces in South Africa. Third 
 Edition. 8vo. lis. 6d. 
 The Times says : — **// is a vohime of great interest, .... full of 
 incidents which vividly illustrate the condition of the Colonies and the 
 character and habits of the natives // contains valuable illus- 
 trations of Cape warfare, and at the present moment it cannot fail to 
 command wide-spread attention^ 
 
 *' Daily News." — THE DAILY NEWS' CORRESPOND- 
 ENCE of the War between Germany and France, 1870— i. Edited 
 with Notes and Comments. New Edition. Complete in One 
 Volume. With Maps and Plans. Crown 8vo. 6j. 
 THE DAILY NEWS' CORRESPONDENCE of the War between 
 Russia and Turkey, to the fall of Kars. Including the letters ot 
 Mr. Archibald Forbes, Mr. J. E. McGahan, and other Special: 
 Correspondents in Europe and Asia. Second Edition, enlarged. 
 Cheaper Edition. Crown 8vo. 6j. 
 FROM THE FALL OF KARS TO THE CONCLUSION OF 
 PEACE. Cheaper Edition. Crown 8vo. 6j. 
 
 Davidson.— THE LIFE OF A SCOTTISH PROBATIONER v 
 being a Memoir of Thomas Davidson, with his Poems and 
 Letters. By James Brown, Minister of St. James's Street 
 Church, Paisley. Second Edition, revised and enlarged, with 
 Portrait. Crown 8vo. Is. 6d, 
 
 Deas. — THE RIVER CLYDE. An Historical Description of the 
 Rise and Progress of the Plarbour of Glasgow, and of the Im- 
 provement of the River from Glasgow to Port Glasgow. By J^ 
 Deas. M. Inst. C.E. 8vo. ioj. (>d. 
 
HISTORY, BIO GRAPH V, TRAVELS, ETC. 
 
 Denison.— A history of cavalry from the ear. 
 
 LIEST TIMES. With Lessons for the Future. By Lieut. -Col. 
 George DenisOx\% Commanding the Govemor-Generars Body 
 Guard, Canada, Author of " Modern Cavahy." With Maps and 
 Plans. 8vo. i8j. j f 
 
 Dilke.— GREATER BRITAIN. A Record of Travel in English- 
 speaking Countries during 1866-7. (America, Australia, India. 
 By Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke, M. P. Sixth Edition- 
 Crown 8vo. 6j. 
 ^^ Many of the subjects discussed hi these pages,'' says the Daily News, 
 " are of the widest iiiterest, and such as no man 2uho cares for the future 
 of his race and of the world can afford to treat with indiHerence." 
 
 Doyle.— HISTORY OF AMERICA. By J. A. Doyle. With 
 Maps. i8mo. 4J. 6d. 
 " Mr. Doyle's style is clear and simple, his facts are accurately stated, 
 and his book is meritoriously free from prejudice on questions where 
 partisanship runs high amongst us^ — Saturday Review. 
 
 Drummond of Hawthornden : the STORY OF HIS 
 LIFE AND WRITINGS. By Professor Masson. With Por- 
 trait and Vignette engraved by C. H. Jeeks. Crown 8vo. \os. 6d. 
 
 Duff. — Works by M. E. Grant-Duff, M.P., late Under Secretary 
 of State for India : — 
 
 NOTES OF AN INDIAN JOURNEY. With Map. 8vo. los. 6d. 
 
 MISCELLANIES POLITICAL AND LITERARY. 8vo. 10^. 6d, 
 
 Eadie. — life of JOHN EADIE, D.D., LL.D. By James 
 Brown, D.D., Author ot " The Life of a Scottish Probationer." 
 With Portrait. Second Edition. Crown 8vo. ys. 6d. 
 "An ablywtitten and cJiaracteristic biography ^ — Times. 
 
 Elliott.— LIFE OF HENRY VENN ELLIOTT, of Brighton. 
 By Josiah Bateman, M.A. With Portrait, engraved by Jeens. 
 Extra fcap. 8vo. Third and Cheaper Edition, ts. 
 
 Elze.— ESSAYS ON SHAKESPEARE. By Dr. Karl Elze. 
 Translated with the Author's sanction by L. Dora Schmitz. 
 8vo. 12S. 
 
 English Men of Letters. Edited by John Morley. a 
 Series of Short Books to tell people what is best worth knowing 
 as to the Life, Character, and Works of some of the great 
 English Writers. In crown 8vo. Price 2s. 6d, each. 
 
MACMILLAJSrS CATALOGUE OF WORK'S IN 
 
 English Men of Letters. — continued, 
 
 I. DR. JOHNSON. By Leslie Stephen. 
 
 ** The netu series opens -ivsll with Mr. Leslie Stephen! s sketch of Dr. 
 Johnson. It could hardly have been done better ; and it will convey to 
 the readers for whom it is intended a juster estimate of Johnson than 
 either of the two essays of Lord Macaulay " — Pall Mall Gazette. 
 
 II. SIR WALTER SCOTT. By R. H. Hutton. 
 
 ** The tone of the volume is excellent throughout J^ — ATHENAEUM. 
 
 * ' We could not wish for a more suggestive introduction to Scott and 
 his poems and novels.''^ — Examiner. 
 
 in. GIBBON. By J. C. MoRisoN. 
 
 ** As a clear, thoughtful, and attractive record of the life and works of 
 the greatest among the world's historians, it deserves the highest praise." — 
 Examiner. 
 
 IV. SHELLEY. By J. A. Symonds. 
 
 ** The lovers of this great poet are to be congratulated on having at 
 their command so fresh, clear, and intelligent a presentment of the subject^ 
 xvritten by a man of adequate and zvide culture." — ATllENiEUM. 
 
 V. HUME. By Professor Huxley. 
 
 " // may fairly be said that no one no7u living could have expounded 
 Hume unth more sympathy or ivith equal perspicuity." — Athen^UM. 
 
 VI. GOLDSMITH. By William Black. 
 
 ^* Mr. Black brings a fine sympathy and taste to bear in his criticism 
 of Goldsmith' s writings as ivcll as in his sketch of the incidents of his life." 
 Athexteum. 
 
 VII. DEFOE. By W. Minto. 
 
 " AT'-, Minto's book is car-eful and accurate in all that is stated, and 
 faithful in all that it suggests. It will repay reading more than once.'^ 
 Atiien-^:um.- 
 
 VHI. BURNS. By Principal SliAiRP, Professor of Poetry in the 
 University of Oxford. 
 
 *^ It is impossible to desire fairer criticism than Principal Shairp*s 
 on Burns' s poetry .... None of the series has given a truer estimate 
 either of character or of genius than this little volume .... and all who 
 read it will be fhoi'oughfy grateful to the author for this monument to the 
 genius of Sco'land's greatest poet." — SPECTATOR. 
 
 IX. SPENSER. By the Very Rev. the Dean of St. Paul's. 
 '■'Dr. Churck is master of his subject, an I sorites always with good 
 
 taste." — Academy. 
 
 X. THACKERAY. By Anthony Trollope. 
 
 *' Mr. Trollope^ s sketch is excellently adapted to fufd the purpose of 
 the scries in 7vhich it appears." — ATHEN.liUM. 
 XL BURKE. By John Morley. 
 *' Tcrhafs the best critiiism yet published en the life and character of 
 
HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC. 9 
 English Men of Letters. — continued. 
 
 Burke is contained in Mr. Morley's compendious biography. His style is 
 vigorous and polished, and both his political and personal judgment, and 
 his literary criticisms are just, generous, subtle, and in a high degree 
 interesting.'' — SATURDAY Review. 
 
 MILTON. By Mark Patt isoN. IJust ready. 1 
 
 HAWTHORKE. By Henry James. 
 SOUTHEY. By Professor Dowden. 
 
 CHAUCER. By Professor Ward. irr . . .- ^ 
 
 COWPER. By Goldwin Smith. ) lln preparation.^ 
 
 BUNYAN. By J. A. Froude. 
 WORDSWORTH. By F. W. H. Myers. 
 Othei'S in preparation. 
 
 Eton College, History of. By H. C. Maxwell Lyte, 
 M.A. With numerous Illustrations by Professor Delamotte, 
 Coloured Plates, and a Steel Portrait of the Founder, engraved 
 by C. H. Jeens. New and cheaper Issue, with Corrections. 
 Medium 8vo. Cloth elegant, zis. 
 " We are at length p-esentcd zvith a work on England's greatest public 
 
 school, tvorthy of the subject of which it treats. . . . A really valuable and 
 
 authentic history of Eton College.'" — GUARDIAN. 
 
 European History, Narrated in a Series of Historical 
 
 Selections from the best Authorities. Edited and arranged by 
 
 E. M. Sewell and C. M. Yonge. First Series, crown 8vo. 6x. ; 
 
 Second Series, 1088-1228, crown 8vo. 6j. Third Edition. 
 
 " We know of scarcely anything,'' says the Guardian, of this volume, 
 
 "which is so likely to raise to a higher level the average standard of 
 
 English education." 
 
 Faraday. — MICHAEL FARADAY. By J. H. Gladstone, 
 Ph.D., F.R.S. Second Edition, with Portrait engraved by Jeens 
 from a photograph by J. Watkins. Crown 8vo. 4^-. dd. 
 PORTRAIT. Artist's Proof. 5^. 
 
 Forbes. — life and letters of james david 
 
 FORBES, F.R.S., late Principal of the United College in the 
 University of St. Andrews. By J. C. Shairp, LL.D., Principal 
 of the United College in the University of St. Andrews ; P. G. 
 Tait, M.A., Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University 
 of Edinburgh; and A. Adams-Reilly, F.R.G.S. 8vo. with 
 Portraits, Map, and Illustrations, ids. 
 
 Freeman. — Works by Edward A. Freeman, D.C.L.,LL.D. :— 
 HISTORICAL ESSAYS. Third Edition. 8vo. \os. 6d. 
 Contents :— /. ''7he Mythical and Romantic Elements in Early 
 
 English History;" II. ''The Continuity of English History ;" III. 
 
 *'The Relations betzueen the Crozvns of England and Scotland ;" IV. 
 
lo MACMILLAIsrs CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN 
 Fre e man — continued. 
 
 ** St. Thomas of Canterbury and his Biograthers ;" V. *' TJie Reign oj 
 Edward the Third:'' VI. ''The Holy Roman Empire;" VII. ''The 
 Franks and the Gauls;'' VIII. "The Early Sieges of Paris;" IX. 
 "Frederick the lirst. King of Italy ;" X. "The Empei-or Frederick the 
 Second:" XI. "Charles the Bold ;" XII. " Presidential Government. 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAYS. SECOND SERIES. 8vo. xos. 6d. 
 
 The principal Essays are: — "Ancient Greece and Mediceval Italy :'* 
 " Mr. Gladstones Homer and the Homeric Ages : " " The Historians 
 of Athens:" "The Athenian Democracy:" "Alexander the Great :'^ 
 "■Greece during the Macedonian Period:" "Moinmsens History of Rome :" 
 "Lucius Cornelius Stdla :" " The Flavian Ccesars." 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAYS. Third Series. 8vo. 12s. 
 Contents : — " First. Impressions of Rome." " The Illyriarc 
 Emperors and their Land." "Augusta Trcveronim." "The Goths 
 at Ravenna." "Race and Language." "The Byzantine Empire." 
 "First Impressions of Athens." " Mediccval and Modern Greece." 
 "The Southern Slaves." "Sicilian Cycles." "The Nor7uans at 
 Palermo. " 
 
 COMPARATIVE POLITICS.— Lectures at the Royal Institution. 
 To which is added the ** Unity of History," the Rede Lecture at 
 Cambridge, 1872. 8vo. 14J. 
 THE HISTORY AND CONQUESTS OF THE SARACENS. 
 Six Lectures. Third Edition, with New Preface. Crown 8vo. 
 y. 6d. 
 
 HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL SKETCHES: 
 chiefly Italian. With Illustrations by the Author. Crown Svo. 
 I ox. bd. 
 
 HISTORY OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, from the Foun- 
 dation of the Achaian League to the Disruption of the United 
 States. Vol. I. General Introduction, History of the Greek 
 Federations. Svo. 21s. 
 
 OLD ENGLISH HISTORY. With Fhe Coloured Maps. Fourth 
 Edition. Extra fcap. 8vo., half-bound. 6s. 
 
 " The book indeed is full of instruction ajtd interest to students oj all 
 agesy and he must be a well-informed man indeed who will not rise 
 from its perusal with clearer and more accurate ideas of a too much 
 neglected portion of English history." — Spectator. 
 
 HISTORY OF THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF WELLS, 
 
 as illustrating the History of the Cathedral Churches of the Old 
 
 Foundation. Crown Svo. 3^. Ctd. 
 
 *' The history assumes in Mr. Freemat^s hands a significance^' andy wt 
 
 may addy a practical value as suggestive oj what a cathedral ought to be^ 
 
 which make it well worthy of mention." — Spectator. 
 
HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC. n 
 Freeman — continued. 
 
 THE GROWTH OF THE ENGLISH CONSTITUTION 
 FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES. Crown 8vo. 5x. Third 
 Edition, revised. 
 
 GENERAL SKETCH OF EUROPEAN HISTORY. Being 
 Vol. I. of a Historical Course for Schools edited by E. A. 
 Freeman, New Edition, enlarged with Maps, Chronological 
 Table, Index, &c. iSxno. 3^. dd. 
 ^^ It supplies the great want of a good foundation for historical teach- 
 ing. The scheme is an excellent ofte, and this instalment has been 
 accepted in a way that promises much for the volumes that are yet 
 to appear." — EDUCATIONAL TiMES. 
 
 THE OTTOMAN POWER IN EUROPE : its Nature, its Gro\Ath, 
 and its Decline. With Three Coloured Maps. Crown 8vo. 7^. ^d. 
 
 Galileo.— THE private life of GALILEO. Compiled 
 principally from his Correspondence and that of his eldest 
 daughter. Sister Maria Celeste, Nun in the Franciscan Convent of 
 S. Matthew in Arcetri. With Portrait. Crown 8vo. 7^^. 6^. 
 
 Geddes. — the problem of the homeric poems. 
 
 By W. D. Geddes, LL.D., Professor of Greek in the University 
 of Aberdeen. 8vo. 14J. 
 
 Gladstone — Works by the Right Hon.W. E. Gladstone, M.P. :— 
 JUVENTUS MUNDI. The Gods and Men of the Heroic Age. 
 
 Crown 8vo. cloth. With Map. lOJ. ^d. Second Edition. 
 ^* Seldotn," says the Athen^um, ^' out of the great poems themselves, 
 
 have these Divinities looked so majestic and respectable. To read these 
 
 brilliant details is like standing on the Olympian threshold and gazing at 
 
 the ineffable brightness within." 
 
 HOMERIC SYNCHRONISM. An inquiry into the Time and 
 
 Place of Homer. Crown 8vo. 6s. 
 ** It is impossible not to admire the imtnense range of thought and 
 inquiry which the author has displayed.'^ — BRITISH QUARTERLY 
 Review. 
 
 Goethe and Mendelssohn (1821— 1831). Translated from the 
 German of Dr. Karl Mendelssohn, Son of the Composer, by 
 M. E. Von Glehn. From the Private Diaries and Home 
 Letters of Mendelssohn, with Poems and Letters of Goethe never 
 before printed. Also with two New and Original Portraits, Fac- 
 similes, and Appendix of Twenty Letters hitherto unpublished. 
 Crown 8vo. ^s. Second Edition, enlarged. 
 
12 MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN 
 
 ** . . . Every page is full of interest^ not merely to the musi- 
 ciafty but to the general reader. The book is a very charming one^ on 
 a topic of deep and lasting interest.^'' — Standard. 
 
 Goldsmid.— TELEGRAPH AND TRAVEL. A Narrative of 
 the Formation and Development of Telegraphic Communication 
 between England and India, under the orders of Her Majesty's 
 Government, with incidental Notices of the Countries traversed by 
 the Lines. By Colonel Sir Frederic Goldsmid, C.B., K. C.S.I. , 
 late Director of the Government Indo-European Telegi-aph. With 
 numerous Illustrations and Maps. 8vo. lis. 
 *' The merit of the luork is a total absence of exaggeratioti, which does 
 
 not^ hozoever, preclude a vividness and vigour of style not always character- 
 
 istic of similar narratives." — STANDARD. 
 
 Gordon. — LAST LETTERS FROM EGYPT, to which are added 
 
 Letters from the Cape. By Lady Duff Gordon. With a 
 
 Memoir by her Daughter, Mrs. Ross, and Portrait engraved by 
 
 Jeens. Second Edition. Crown 8vo. gs. 
 
 " The intending tourist who wishes to acquaint himself xvith the country 
 
 he is about to visit, stands embarrassed amidst the riches presented for his 
 
 choice, and in the end probably rests contented with the sober usefidness of 
 
 Murray. He will not, however, if he is well advised, grtidge a place in 
 
 his portmanteau to this book.^' — Times. 
 
 Gray. — china, a History of the Laws, Manners, and Customs 
 of the People. By the Venerable John Henry Gray. LL.D., 
 Archdeacon of Hong Kong, formerly H.B.M. Consular Chaplain 
 at Canton. Edited by W. Go w Gregor. With 150 Full-page Illustra- 
 tions, being Facsimiles of Drawings by a Chinese Artist. 2 Vols. 
 Demy 8vo. 32J. 
 *' Its pages contain the most truthful and vivid picture of Chinese life 
 
 which has ever been published.^' — Athen^UM. 
 
 ** The only elaborate and valuable book ive have had fhr many years 
 
 treating gena-ally of the people of the Celestial Empire." — Academy. 
 
 Green. — Works by John Richard Green: — 
 
 HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH PEOPLE. Vol. I.— Early 
 
 England — Foreign Kings — The Charter — The Parliament. With 
 
 8 Coloured Maps. 8vo. 16^. Vol. II. — The Monarchy, 
 
 1461 — 1540 ; the Restoration, 1540 — 1603. 8vo. i6s. Vol.111. 
 
 — Puritan England, 1603 — 1660; the] Revolution, 1660 — 1688. 
 
 With 4 Maps. 8vo. 16s. {Vol. IV. in the press. 
 
 ** Mr. Green hcts done a work which probably no one but himself could 
 
 have done. He has read and assimilated the results of all the labours of 
 
 students during the last half century in the field 0/ English history, and 
 
 has given them a fresh meaning by his 07vn independent study. He has 
 
 fused together by the force of sympathetic imagination all that he has so 
 
HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC. 13 
 
 Green . — continued. 
 
 collected, and has ^iven us a vivid and forcible sketch of the march of 
 English histo7y. His book, both in its aims and its acco77iplishments, 
 rises far beyond any of a similar kind, and it will give the colouring to the 
 popular view to English history for some time to come.'^ — Examiner. 
 
 A SHORT HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH PEOPLE. With 
 
 Coloured Maps, Genealogical Tables, and Chronological Annals. 
 
 Crown 8vo. Sj. 6d. Sixty-third Thousand. 
 
 ** To say that Mr. Greenes book is better than those which have pre- 
 
 ceded it, would be to convey a ve7y i7iadcquate i77ipressio7t of its 7nerits. It 
 
 stands alone as the 07te ge7ie7'al history of the cou7itry, for the sake of 
 
 which all others, ifyou7ig and old are wise, will be speedily and surely set 
 
 aside. ^^ 
 
 STRAY STUDIES FROM ENGLAND AND ITALY. Crown 
 8vo. 8i-. dd. Containing : Lambeth and the Archbishops — The 
 Florence of Dante — Venice and Rome — Early History of Oxford 
 — The District Visitor — Capri — Hotels in the Clouds — Sketches 
 in Sunshine, &c. 
 
 ** One and all of the papers are emi7ie7itly readable.'*^ — Athen^UM. 
 
 Guest.— LECTURES ON THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 By M. J. Guest. With Map?. Crown Svo. 6s. 
 " J he book is pleasant readi/ig, it is full of infor7nation, 7nuch of it is 
 valuable, 77iost of it is co7'rect, told i7i a gossipy a7id intelligible way^ — ■ 
 Athen/eum. 
 
 Hamerton. — Works by p. G. Hamerton:— 
 THE INTELLECTUAL LIFE. With a Portrait of Leonardo da 
 Vinci, etched by Leopold^ Flameng. Second Edition. Crown 
 loj. dd. Svo. 
 '* We have read the whole book with great pleasure, and ive can ?v- 
 C077imend it stro7igly to all who ca7i app7'eciate grave reflections on a very 
 i7npo7-tant subject, excelle7itly illustrated fi-om the resou7-ces of a mi7id 
 stored with much readi7ig a7id 77iuch keen obse7vation of real life.'''' — 
 Saturday Review. 
 
 THOUGHTS ABOUT ART. New Edition, revised, with an 
 
 Introduction. Crown Svo. %s. 6d. 
 "^ manual of sound a7td thorough criticism on arty — Standard. 
 
 Hill. — THE RECORDER OF BIRMINGHAM. A Memoir of 
 Matthew Davenport Hill, wdth Selections from his Correspondence. 
 By his Daughters Rosamond and Florence Davenport-Hill. 
 With Portrait engraved by C. H. Jeens. Svo. i(>s. 
 
14 MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN 
 
 Hill.— WHAT WE SAW IN AUSTRALIA. By Rosamond 
 and Florence Hill. Crown 8vo. \os. dd. 
 ^^ May be recommended as an interesting and truthful picture cf the 
 condition of those lands 7vhich are so distant and vet so much like home." 
 — Saturday Review. 
 
 Hodgson.— MEMOIR OF REV. FRANCIS HODGSON, 
 B,D., Scholar, Toet, and Divine. By his Son, the Rev. James 
 T. Hodgson, M.A. Containing numerous Letters from Lord 
 Byron and others. With Tortrait engraved by Jeens. Two 
 Vols. Crown 8vo. i8j. 
 *^ A book that has added so much of a healthy nature to our knowledge 
 
 of Byron, and that contains so rich a store of delightful corres^ondcnce.^^ 
 
 — ATHENiEUM. 
 
 Hole.— A GENEALOGICAL STEMMA OF THE KINGS 
 OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE. By the Rev. C. Hole, 
 M.A., Trinity College, Cambridge. On Sheet, is. 
 
 A BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY. Compiled and 
 Arranged by the Rev. Charles Hole, M.A. Second Edition. 
 i8mo. 4^. 6d. 
 
 Hooker and Ball. — marocco and the great 
 
 ATLAS: Journal of a Tour in. By Sir Joseph D. Hooker, 
 
 K.C.S.L, C.B., F.R.S., &c., and John Ball, F.R.S. With an 
 
 Appendix, including a Sketch of the Geology of Marocco, by 
 
 G. Maw, F.L.S., F.G.S. With Illustrations and Map. 8vo. 21s. 
 
 " It is long since any more interesting book of travels has issued from 
 
 our press.''— ShTHRMXY Review. ** l^his is, zuithout doubt, one of the 
 
 most interesting and valuable books of travel published for many years'' 
 
 — Spectator. 
 
 Hozier (H. M.)— Works by Captain Henry M. Hozier, 
 late Assistant Military Secretary to Lord Napier of Magdala : — 
 
 THE SEVEN WEEKS' WAR ; Its Antecedents and Incidents. 
 New and Cheaper Edition. With New Preface, Maps, and Plans. 
 Crown 8vo. hs. 
 
 THE INVASIONS OF ENGLAND : a History of the Past, with 
 Lessons for the Future. Two Vols. 8ro. 28j. 
 
 Hiibner. — a ramble round the world in 1871. By 
 
 M. Le Baron Hubner, formerly Ambassador and Minister. 
 Translated by Lady Herbert. New and Cheaper Edition. 
 With numerous Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 6j. 
 " // is difficult to do ample justice tj this pleasant narrative of travel 
 . . . . it does not contain a single dull paragraph'' — MORNING Post. 
 
HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC. 15 
 
 Hughes. — Works by Thomas Hughes, Q.C, Author of "Tom 
 Brown's School Days." 
 ALFRED THE GREAT. New Edition. Crow^n 8vo. 6s. 
 MEMOIR OF A BROTHER. With Portrait of George Hughes, 
 after Watts. Engraved by Jeens. Crown 8vo. 5^. Sixth 
 Edition. 
 '* IVie boy who can read this hook xuithotit deriving from it some addi- 
 tional impulse tozvards honozirablc, manly, and independent conduct, has 
 no good stuff in him." — Daily News. 
 
 Hunt.— HISTORY OF ITALY. By the Rev. W. Hunt, M.A. 
 
 Being the Fourth Volume of the Historical Course for Schools. 
 
 Edited by Edward A. Freeman, D.C.L. i8mo. 3^. 
 ** Mr. Htmt gives us a most compact but very readable little book, con- 
 taining in small compass a very complete outline of a complicated and 
 perplexing subject. It is a book which may be scifely recommended to 
 others besides schoolboys." — ^JOHN BULL. 
 
 Irving.— THE ANNALS OF OUR TIME. A Diurnal of Events, 
 
 Social and Political, Home and Foreign, from the Accession of 
 
 Queen Victoria to the Peace of Versailles. By Joseph Irving. 
 
 Fourth Edition. 8vo. half-bound. i6j. 
 
 ANNALS OF OUR TIME. Supplement. From Feb. 28, 1871, 
 
 to March 19, 1874. 8vo. 4^. dd. 
 ANNALS OF OUR TIME. Second Supplement. From March, 
 
 1874, to the Occupation of Cyprus. 8vo. a^s. 6d. 
 *' We have before us a trusty and ready guide to the events of the 
 past thirty years, available equally for the statesman, the politician, the 
 public writer, and the general reader." — Times. 
 
 James. — Works by Henry James, Jun. FRENCH POETS AND 
 NOVELISTS. Crown 8vo. 8j. 6d. 
 CosT^-^T^x— Alfred de Mussel ; . Theophile Gautier ; Baudelaire; 
 Honore de Balzac ; George Sand ; The Two Amperes ; Turgenieff, <^c. 
 
 Johnson's Lives of the Poets. — The Six Chief 
 
 Lives— Milton, Dryden, Swift, Addison, Pope, Gray. With 
 Macaulay's " Life of Johnson." Edited, with Preface, by 
 Matthew Arnold. Crown 8vo. 6s. 
 
 Killen.— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF IRELAND, from 
 the Earliest Date to the Present Time. By W. D. Killen, D.D., 
 President of Assembly's College, Belfast, and Professor of Eccle- 
 siastical History. Two Vols. 8vo. 2$s. 
 " Those who have the leisure 7vill do well to read these two volumes. 
 
 Thev are fill of into'cst, and are the result o^ great research. . . . We 
 
i6 MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN 
 
 have no hesitation in recommending the work to all who wish to impt ove 
 their acquaintance with Irish history.''^ — Spectator. 
 
 Kingsley (Charles). — Works by the Rev. Charles Kingsley, 
 M.A., Rector of Eversley and Canon of Westminster. (For 
 other Works by the same Author, see Theological and Belles 
 Lettres Catalogues.) 
 
 ON THE ANCIEN REGIME as it existed on the Continent before 
 the French Revolution. Three Lectures delivered at the 
 Royal Institution. Crown 8vo. ds. 
 
 AT LAST : A CHRISTMAS in the WEST INDIES. With nearly 
 Fifty Illustrations. Sixth Edition. Crown 8vo. 6j. 
 ' Mr, Kingsley' s dream of forty years zvas at last fulfilled^ when he 
 started on a Christmas , expedition to the West Indies^ for t he purpose of 
 becoming personally acquainted with the scenes which he has so vividly 
 described in " Westward Ho /" These two volumes are the journal of his 
 voyage. Records of natural history^ sketches of tropical landscape, chapters 
 on education, views of society, all find their place. ** We can only say 
 that Mr. Kingsley' s account of a * Christmas in the West Itidies ' is in 
 every way worthy to be classed atnong his happiest productions.''^ — 
 Standard. 
 
 THE ROMAN AND THE TEUTON. A Series of Lectures 
 delivered before the University of Cambridge, New and Cheaper 
 Edition, with Preface by Professor Max Muller. Crown 8vo. 6y. 
 
 PLAYS AND PURITANS, and other Historical Essays. With 
 Portrait of Sir Walter Raleigh. New Edition. Crown Svo. 6^. 
 
 In addition to the Essay mentioned in the title, this volume contains 
 other two — one on ** Sir Walter Raleigh and his Time^^' and one on 
 Froud^s ♦' History of England. " 
 
 Kingsley (Henry). — TALES OF OLD TRAVEL. Re- 
 
 narrated by Henry Kingsley, F.R.G.S. With Eight Illus- 
 trations by Huard. Fifth Edition. Crown Svo. 5 J. 
 ** We know no better book for those who want knowledge or seek to 
 refresh it. As for the ' sensational^^ most novels are tame compared with 
 these narratives.^' — Athenaeum. 
 
 Lang. — CYPRUS : Its History, its Present Resources and Future 
 
 Prospects. By R. Hamilton Lang, late H.M. Consul for the 
 
 Island of Cyprus. With Two Illustrations and Four Maps. Svo. 14J. 
 
 ** The fair and impartial account of her past and present to be found in 
 
 these paoes has an undoubted claim on the attention of all intelligent 
 
 rm</rry.''— Morning Post. 
 
17 
 
 HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS . ETC. 
 
 LaocOOn. — Translated from the Text of Les^ing, with Preface and 
 Notes by the Right Hon. Sir Robert J. Phillimore, D.C.L. 
 With Photographs. 8vo. I2J. 
 
 Leonardo da Vinci and his Works. — Consisting of a 
 
 Life of Leonardo Da Vinci, by Mrs. Charles W. Heaton, 
 Author of *'Albrecht Diirer of Numberg," &c., an Essay on his 
 Scientific and Literary Works by Charles Christopher 
 Black, M. A. , and an account of his more important Paintings 
 and Drawings. Illustrated with Permanent Photographs, Royal 
 8vo, cloth, extra gilt. 31J. dd. 
 
 Liechtenstein,— HOLLAND HOUSE. By Princess Marie 
 Liechtenstein. With Five Steel Engravings by C. H. Jeens, 
 after Paintings by Watts and other celebrated Artists, and 
 numerous Illustrations drawn by Professor P. H. Delamotte, and 
 engraved on Wood by J. D. Cooper, W. Palmer, andjEwiTT & 
 Co. Thurd and Cheaper Edition. Medium 8vo. cloth elegant. 
 1 6 J. 
 Also, an Edition containing, in addition to the above, about 40 
 Illustrations by the Woodbury-type process, and India Proofs of 
 the Steel Engravings. Two vols, medium 4to. half morocco 
 elegant. 4/. 4^. 
 
 Lloyd.— THE AGE OF PERICLES. A History of the Arts and 
 Politics of Greece from the Persian to the Peloponnesian War. 
 , By W. Wat KISS Lloyd. Two Vols. 8vo. 2ij. 
 ** No stick account of Greek art 0/ the best period has yet been brought 
 
 together in an English work Mr. Lloyd has produced a book oj 
 
 unusual excellence and interest. ^^ — Pall Mall Gazeite. 
 
 Loch Etive and the Sons of Uisnach. — with Illus 
 
 trations. 8vo. 14^'. 
 ** Not only have we Loch Etive of the present time brought before us in 
 colours as true as they are vivid, but stirring scenes which happened on 
 the borders of the beautiful lake in semi-niythical times are conjured u/> 
 with singular skill. Nowhere else do we remember to have met with such 
 a well-written account of the invasion of Scotland by the Irish.'''' — Globe, 
 
 Loftie.— A RIDE IN EGYPT FROM SIOOT TO lUXOR, IN 
 1879 ; with Notes on the Present State and Ancient History of the 
 Nile Valley, and some account of the various ways of making tlio 
 voyage out and home. By the Rev. W. J. Loftie. With 
 Illustrations. Crown 8vo. \os. 6d. 
 " We prophesy that Mr. Loftiis little book will accompany many 
 
 travellers on the Nile in the coming winters,''^ — Times. 
 
i8 MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN 
 
 Lubbock. — ADDRESSES, POLITICAL AND EDUCA- 
 TIONAL. By Sir John Lubbock, Bart., M.P., D.C.L., 
 F.R.S. 8vo. Zs.(>d. 
 
 Macdonell.— FRANCE SINCE THE FIRST EMPIRE. By 
 James Macdonell. Edited with Preface by his Wife. Crown 
 8vo. \Shortly, 
 
 Macarthur.— HISTORY OF SCOTLAND, By Margaret 
 
 Macarthur. Being the Third Volume of the Historical Course 
 
 for Schools, Edited by Edward A. Freeman, D.C.L. Second 
 
 Edition. i8mo. 2s. 
 
 ^* It is an excellent summary, unimpeachable as to facts, and putting 
 
 them in the clearest and most impartial light attainable.^' — Guardian. 
 
 " No previous History oj Scotland of the same bulk is anything like so 
 
 trustworthy, or deserves to be so extensively used as a text-book."" — Globe. 
 
 Macmillan (Rev. Hugh).— For other Works by same Author, 
 
 see Theological and Scientific Catalogues. 
 
 HOLIDAYS ON HIGH LANDS ; or, Rambles and Incidents in 
 
 search of Alpine Plants. Second Edition, revised and enlarged. 
 
 Globe 8vo. cloth. 6s. 
 
 *' Botanical knowledge is blended with a love of nature, a pious en' 
 
 thusiasm, and a rich felicity of diction not to be met with in any works 
 
 of kindred character, if we except those of Hugh Miller.'' — Telegraph. 
 
 Macready.— macready's reminiscences and se- 
 
 LECTIONS FROM HIS DIARIES AND LETTERS. Edited 
 
 by Sir F. Pollock, Bart., one of his Executors. With Four 
 
 Portraits engraved by Jeens. New and Cheaper Edition. Crown 
 
 8vo. 7^. 6d. 
 
 " As a careful and for the most part just estimate of the stage during 
 
 a very brilliant petiod, the attraction of these volumes can scarcely be 
 
 surpassed. .... Rectders who have no special interest in theatrical 
 
 matters, but enjoy miscellaneous gossip, will be allured fi'om page to page, 
 
 attracted by familiar names a>td by observations upon popular actors and 
 
 authors. ' ' — S PECTATO R. 
 
 Mahaffy. — Works by the Rev. J. P. Mahaffy, M.A., Fellow of 
 Trinity College, Dublin : — 
 SOCIAL LIFE IN GREECE FROM HOMER TO MENAN- 
 DER. Third Edition, revised and enlarged, with a new chapter 
 on Greek Art Crown 8vo. 9^. 
 '* // should be in the hands of all who desire thoroughly to understand 
 and to enjoy Greek literature, and to get an intelligent idea of the old Greek 
 life, political, social, and religious." — Guardian. 
 
HISTOR Y, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC, 19 
 
 M ah a fFy . — continued. 
 
 RAMBLES AND STUDIES IN GREECE. With Illustrations. 
 
 Crown 8vo. \05. 6d. New and enlarged Edition, with Map and 
 
 Illustrations. 
 **A singularly instructive and agreeable volume'^ — AxHENiEUM. 
 
 " Maori." — sport and work on the nepaul fron- 
 tier ; or, Twelve Years' Sporting Reminiscences of an Indigo 
 Planter. By "Maori." With Illustrations. 8vo. I4i'. 
 "Every day's adventures, with all the joys and perils of the chase, are 
 
 told as only a keen and cunning sportsman can tell them.'' — Standard. 
 
 Margary.— THE journey of Augustus Raymond 
 
 MARGARY FROM SHANGHAE TO BHAMO AND BACK 
 
 TO MANWYNE. From his Journals and Letters, ^vith a brief 
 
 Biographical Preface, a concluding chapter by Sir Rutherford 
 
 Alcock, K.C.B,, and a Steel Portrait engraved by Jeens, and 
 
 Map. 8vo. lOJ. (id. 
 
 " There is a manliness, a cheerful spirit, an inherent vigour which 
 
 was never overcome by sickness or debility, a tact ivhich conquered th" 
 
 prejudices of a strange and suspicious population, a quiet self-reliance, 
 
 always combined with deep religious feeling, unalloyed by either priggish- 
 
 ness, cant, or superstition, that ought to commend this volume to readers 
 
 sitting quietly at home who feel any pride in the high estimation accorded 
 
 to men of their race at Yarkand or at Khiva, in the heart of Africa, or 
 
 on the shores of Lake Seri-kul." — Saturday Review. 
 
 Markham.— NORTHWARD HO! By Captain Albert H. 
 Markham, R.N., Author of "The Great Frozen Sea," &c. 
 Including a Narrative of Captain Phipps's Expedition, by a Mid- 
 shipman. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. \os. 6d. 
 *' Captain'iMarkham' s interesting volume has the advantage of being 
 
 written by a man who is practically convej'sant with the subject." — Pali. 
 
 Mall Gazette. 
 
 Martin.— THE history of LLOYD'S, AND OF MARINE 
 INSURANCE IN GREAT BRITAIN. With an Appendix 
 containing Statistics relating to Marine Insurance. By Frederick 
 Martin, Author of "The Statesman's Year Book." 8vo. 14^. 
 
 Martineau. — biographical sketches, 1852—1875. 
 
 By Harriet Martineau. With Additional Sketches, and Auto- 
 biographical Sketch. Fifth Edition. Crown 8vo. 6j. 
 
 MaSSOn (David).— For other Works by same Author, see PHILO- 
 SOPHICAL and Belles Letires Catalogues. 
 
20 MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN 
 
 Masson (David). — continued. "''■■"'^^' 
 
 CHATTERTON : A Story of the Year 1770. By David Masson, 
 LL. D., Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature in the Uni- 
 versity of Edinburgh. Crown 8vo. 5^. 
 
 THE THREE DEVILS : Luther's, Goethe's, and Milton's ; and 
 other Essays. Crown 8vo. 5^. 
 
 WORDSWORTH, SHELLEY, AND KEATS ; and other 
 Essays. Crown 8vo. ^s. 
 
 Mathews.— LIFE OF CHARLES J. MATHEWS, Chiefly 
 
 Autobiographical. With Selections from his Correspondence and 
 
 Speeches. Edited by Charles Dickens. 
 
 *' One of the pleasantest and iiiost readable books of the season. From 
 
 first to last these two volumes are alive with the inimitable artist and 
 
 comedian. . . . l^he whole book is /till of life, vigour, and wit, and even 
 
 through some of the glootny episodes of volume two, will j-epay most careful 
 
 study. So complete, so varied a picture of a man^s life is rarely to be met 
 
 •with.'' — Standard. 
 
 Maurice.— THE FRIENDSHIP OF BOOKS ; AND OTHER 
 LECTURES. By the Rev. F. D. Maurice. Edited with Pre- 
 face, by Thomas Hughes, Q.C. Crown 8vo. \os. 6d. 
 
 Mayor (J. E. B.)— WORKS edited by John E. B. Mayor, 
 M. A., Kennedy Professor of Latin at Cambridge :— 
 
 CAMBRIDGE IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. Part II 
 
 Autobiography of Matthew Robinson. Fcap. 8vo. $5. dd. 
 LIFE OF BISHOP BEDELL. By his Son. Fcap. 8vo. 3^. dd. 
 
 Melbourne.— MEMOIRS OF THE RT. HON. WILLIAM, 
 
 SECOND VISCOUNT MELBOURNE. By W. M. Torrens, 
 
 M.P. With Portrait after Sir. T. Lawrence. Second Edition. 
 
 2 Vols. 8vo. 3JW. 
 
 •' As might be expected, he has produced a book which will commami 
 
 and reivard attention. It contains a great deal of valuable matter and 
 
 a great deal of animated, elegant 7i;riting."—Qv ART EKh\ Review. 
 
 Mendelssohn. — letters and recollections. By 
 
 Ferdinand Hiller. Translated by M. E. Von Glehn. With 
 Portrait from a Drawing by Karl MtJLLER, never before pub- 
 ^'li lished. Second Edition. Crown 8vo. Js. 6d. 
 
 ** This is a very interesting addition to our knowledge of the great 
 German composer. It reveals him to us under a new light, as the warm- 
 hearted comrade, the musician whose soul was in his work, and the home- 
 loving, domestic man.** — Standard. 
 
HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC. 21 
 Merewether. — by sea and by land. Being a Trip 
 
 through Egypt, India, Ceylon, Australia, New Zealand, and 
 America — all Round the World. By Henry Alworth Mere- 
 wether, one of Her Majesty's Counsel. Crown 8vo. 8j. dd. 
 
 Michael Angelo Buonarotti ; Sculptor, Painter, Architect. 
 
 The Story of his Life and Labours. By C. C. Black, M.A. 
 
 Illustrated by 20 Permanent Photographs. Royal 8vo. cloth 
 
 elegant, 31J. 6^. 
 *' The story of Michael Angelo s life remains interesting whatever be the 
 manner of telling it, and supported as it is by this beautiful series of photo- 
 graphs, the volume must take rank among the most splendid of Christmas 
 books, fitted to serve and to outlive the season T — Pall Mall Gazette. 
 
 Michelet— A SUMMARY OF MODERN HISTORY. Trans- 
 lated from the French of M. Michelet, and continued to the 
 present time by M. C. M. Simpson. Globe 8vo. 4^. 6dr. 
 
 Milton.— LIFE OF JOHN MILTON. Narrated in connection 
 with the Political, Ecclesiastical, and Literary History of his Time. 
 By David Masson, M.A., LL.D., Professor of Rhetoric and 
 English Literature in the University of Edinburgh. With Portraits. 
 Vol. L i8j. Vol. IL, 1638— 1643. 8vo. i6j. Vol. III. 
 1643 — 1649. 8vo. i8j. Vols. IV. and V. 1649— 1660. 32J. 
 Vol. VI. concluding the work in the press. 
 This work is not only a Biography, but also a continuous Political, Eccle- 
 siastical, and Literary History of England through Milton's whole time. 
 
 Mitford (A. B.)— tales OF old japan. By A. B. 
 
 MiTFORD, Second Secretary to the Bntish Legation in Japan. 
 
 With upwards of 30 Illustrations, drawn and cut on Wood by 
 
 Japanese Artists. New and Cheaper Edition. Crown 8vo. 6^. 
 
 " These very original volumes will always be interesting as memorials 
 
 of a most exceptional society^ vjhile regarded simply as tales, they are 
 
 sparkling, sensational, and dramatic.'' — Pall Mall Gazette. 
 
 Monteiro.— ANGOLA and the river Congo. By 
 
 Joachim Monteiro. With numerous Illustrations from Sketches 
 taken on the spot, and a Map. Two Vols, crown 8vo, 2.\s. 
 
 Morison. — tpie life and times of saint Bernard, 
 
 Abbot of Clairvaux. By James Cotter Morison, M.A. New 
 Edition. Crown 8vo. ds. 
 
 Moseley. — notes by a naturalist on the chal-, 
 
 LENGER : being an Account of various Observations made 
 during the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenge)', Round the World, 
 
22 MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN 
 
 in 1872-76. By H. N. Moseley, F.R.S., Member of the 
 
 Scientific Staff of the Challenger. 8vo. with Maps, Coloured Plates, 
 
 and Woodcuts. 21s, 
 
 ** This is certainly the most interesting and suggestive book^ descriptive 
 
 of a naturalist s travels^ which has been published since Mr. Darwin's 
 
 ''Journal of Researches ' appeared, more thanjorty years ago.''* — NATURE. 
 
 * * We cannot point to any book of travels in our day more vivid in its 
 
 powers of description, more varied in its subject matter, or 7?wre attractive 
 
 10 (Very educated reader. ^^ — Saturday Review. 
 
 Murray ROUND ABOUT FRANCE. By E. C. Grenville 
 
 Murray. Crown 8vo. 7^. ^d. 
 ** These short essays area perject mine of information as to the present 
 condition and future prospects of political parties in France. . . . It is 
 at once extremely interesting and exceptionally instructive on a subject on 
 which few English people are well informed." — Scotsman. 
 
 Napier.— MACVEY NAPIER'S SELECTED CORRE- 
 SPONDENCE. Edited by his Son, Macvey Napier. 8vo. 14^. 
 The Times says : — *'// is replete with useful 7naterial for the bio- 
 graphers of many distinguished ivriters of the generation which is passing 
 away. Since reading it we understand several notexvorihy men, and 
 Brougham in partictilar, far better than we did before. " ** /if would be 
 useless to attempt within our present limits to give any adequate idea of the 
 abundance of interesting passages which meet us in the letters of Macaulay, 
 Brougham, Carlyle, Jeffrey, Senior, and many other well-known luriters. 
 Especially piquant are Jeffreys periodical criticisms on the contents oj 
 the Review which he had formerly edited.'' — Pall Mall Gazette. 
 
 Napoleon.— THE history of napoleon L By p. 
 
 Lanfrey. a Translation with the sanction of the Author. 
 4 vols. 8vo. Vols. I. II. and HI. price 12s. each. Vol. IV. 
 
 es. 
 
 The Pall Mall Gazette savs it is ** one of the most striking 
 pieces of historical composition of which France has to boast,'"* and the 
 Saturday Review calls it **an excellent translation of a 7vork on every 
 ground deserving to be translated. It is unquestionably and immeasurably 
 the best that has been produced. It is injact the only work to which wt 
 can turn for an accurate and trustworthy narrative of that extraordinary 
 career. . . . The book is the best and indeed the only trustworthy history 
 of Napoleon which has been written.'^ 
 
 Nichol.— TABLES OF EUROPEAN LITERATURE AND 
 HISTORY, A.D. 200—1876. By J. Nichol, LL.D., Professor 
 of English Language and Literature, Glasgow. 4to. (>s. 6d. 
 TABLES OF ANCIENT LITERATURE AND HISTORY, 
 B.a 1500— A.D. 200. By the same Author. 4to. 4s. 6d. 
 
HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC. 23 
 Nordenskiold's Arctic Voyages, 1858-79. — with 
 
 Maps and numerous Illustrations. 8vo. \6s. 
 " A volume of great interest and much scientific value" — Nature. 
 
 Oliphant (Mrs.).— THE MAKERS OF FLORENCE : Dante 
 Giotto, Savonarola, and their City. By Mrs. Oliphant. "With 
 numerous Illustrations from drawings by Professor Delamotte, 
 and portrait of Savonarola, engraved by JEENS. Second Edition. 
 Medium 8vo. Cloth extra. 2is. 
 ** We are grateful to Mrs. Oliphant for her eloquent and beautiful 
 
 sketches of Dante, Fra Angelica^ and Savonarola. They are picturesque, 
 
 full of life, and rich in detail, and they are charmingly illustrated by the 
 
 art of the engraver.^* — Spectator. 
 
 Oliphant— THE DUKE and the SCHOLAR; and other 
 Essays. By T. L. Kington Oliphant. 8vo. *js. 6d. 
 ** This volume contains one of the most beautiful biographical essays we 
 have seen since Macaula/s days'^ — Standard. 
 
 Otte. — SCANDINAVIAN HISTORY. By E. C. Otte. With 
 Maps. Extra fcap. Svo. 6j. 
 
 Owens College Essays and Addresses. — By Pro- 
 fessors AND Lecturers of Owens College, Manchester. 
 Published in Commemoration of the Opening of the New College 
 Buildings, October 7th, 1873. 8vo. I4r. 
 
 Palgrave (R. F. D.)— the HOUSE OF COMMONS ; 
 Illustrations of its History and Practice. By Reginald F. D. 
 Palgrave, Clerk Assistant of the House of Commons. New 
 and Revised Edition. Crown 8vo. 2.s. 6d. 
 
 Palgrave (Sir F.)— history OF NORMANDY and 
 
 OF ENGLAND. By Sir Francis Palgrave, Deputy Keeper 
 of Her Majesty's Public Records. Completing the History to the 
 Death of William Rufus. 4 Vols. Svo. 4/. 4J. 
 
 Palgrave (W. G.)— a narrative OF A YEAR'S 
 JOURNEY THROUGH CENTRAL AND EASTERN 
 ARABIA, 1862-3. By William Gifford Palgrave, late of 
 the Eighth Regiment Bombay N. I. Sixth Edition. With Maps, 
 Plans, and Portrait of Author, engraved on steel by Jeens. Crown 
 Svo. 6s. 
 " He has not only written one of the best books on the Arabs and one 
 of the best books on Arabia, but he has done so in a manner that must 
 command the respect no less than the admiration of his fellow-country- 
 men. "—Fortnightly Review. 
 
24 MACMILLAiYS CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN 
 
 Palgrave . — continued. 
 
 ESSAYS ON EASTERN QUESTIONS. By W. Gifford 
 Palgrave. 8vo. ioj. (>d, 
 
 " These essays are full of anecdote and interest. The book is decidedly 
 a valuable addition to the stock of literature on which men must 
 base their opinion of the diffi.cult social and political problems sue;- 
 ge^ted by the designs of Russia, the capacity of Mahometans Jor 
 sovereignty^ and the good government and retention of India.^^ — 
 Saturi av Review. 
 
 DUTCH GUIANA. With Maps and Plans. 8vo. 9^. 
 
 *^ His pages are nearly exhaustive as far as facts and statistics go, 
 while they are lightened by graphic social sketches as well as sparkling 
 descriptions of x^^«<fry."— Saturday Review. 
 
 Patteson.— LIFE and letters of john coleridge 
 
 PATTESON, D.D., Missionary Bishop of the Melanesian Islands. 
 
 By Charlotte M. Yonge, Author of " The Heir of Redclyffe.*' 
 
 With Portraits after Richmond and from Photograph, engraved by 
 
 Jeens. With Map. Fifth Edition. Two Vols. Crown 8vo. \zs. 
 
 ** Miss Yonge? s work is in one respect a model biography. It is made 
 
 up almost entirely of Patteson's own letters. Aware that he had left his 
 
 home once and for all, his correspondence took the form of a diary, and 
 
 as we read on we come to know the man, and to love him almost as if we 
 
 had seen him." — ATHENiEUM. ^^ Such a life, with its grand lessons oj 
 
 unselfishness, is a blessing and an honour to the age in which it is Uvea ; 
 
 the bwgraphy cannot be studied without pleasjire and profit, and indeed 
 
 we should think little of the man who did not rise from the study of it 
 
 better and wiser. Neither the Church nor the nation which produces 
 
 such sons need ever despair of tts future.'' — Saturday Review. 
 
 Pauli.— PICTURES OF OLD ENGLAND. By Dr. Reinhold 
 Pauli. Translated, with the approval of the Author, by E. C. 
 Otte. Cheaper Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s. 
 
 Payne.— A HISTORY OF EUROPEAN COLONIES. By 
 E. J. Payne, M.A. With Maps. iSmo. 4J. 6^. 
 The Times says: — ** We have seldom met ivith a historian capable of 
 forming a more comprehensive. Jar-seeing, and unprejudiced estimate 0/ 
 events and peoples, and we can commend this little work as one certain to 
 prove of the highest interest to all thoughtful readers." 
 
 Persia. — eastern Persia. An Account of the Journeys of 
 the Persian Boundary Commission, 1870-I-2. — Vol. 1. The Geo- 
 graphy, with Narratives by Majors St. John, Lovett, and Euan 
 Smith, and an Introduction by Major-General Sir Frederic 
 Goldsmid, C.B., K.C.S.L, British Commissioner and Arbitrator. 
 
HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC. 25 
 
 With Maps and Illustrations. — Vol. II. The Zoology and Geoloijy. 
 By W. T. Blanford, A.R.S.M., F.R.S. With Coloured Illus- 
 trations. Two Vols. 8vo. 42J. 
 ** The volumes largely incirase our store oj information about 
 
 countries with which Englishmen ought to be familiar 
 
 They throw into the shade all that hitherto has appeared in our tongue 
 respecting the local features of Persia, its scenery, its resources, even its 
 social condition, Thev contain also abundant evidence of English 
 endurance, daring^ and spirit.*^ — Times. 
 
 Prichard.— THE ADMINISTRATION OF INDIA. From 
 1859 to 1868. The First Ten Years of Administration under the 
 Crown. By T. T. Prichard, Barrister-at-Law. Two Vols. 
 Demy 8vo. With Map. 21J. 
 
 Raphael. — Raphael of urbino and his father 
 
 GIOVANNI SANTI. By J. D. Passavant, formerly Director 
 of the Museum at Frankfort. With Twenty Permanent Photo - 
 ^aphs. Royal 8vo. Flandsomely bound. 31J. dd. 
 The Saturday Review says of them, '* We have seen not a fezv 
 
 elegant specimens of Mr. Woodbury's new process, but we have seen 
 
 none that equal these. " 
 
 Reynolds.— SIR joshua Reynolds as a portrait 
 
 PAINTER. AN ESSAY. By J. Churton Collins, B.A. 
 Balliol College, Oxford. Illustrated by a Series of Portraits of 
 distinguished Beauties of the Court of George III. ; reproduced 
 in Autotype from Proof Impressions of the celebrated Engravings, 
 by Valentine Green, Thomas Watson, F. R. Smith, E. 
 Fisher, and others. Folio half-morocco. £^ ^s. 
 
 Rogers (James E. Thorold).— historical GLEAN- 
 INGS : A Series of Sketches. Montague, Walpole, Adam Smith, 
 Cobbett. By Prof. Rogers. Crown 8vo. 4^. 6d. Second Series. 
 Wiklif, Laud, Wilkes, and Home Tooke. Crown 8vo. 6s. 
 
 Routledge.— CHAPTERS in the history of popular 
 
 PROGRESS IN ENGLAND, chiefly in Relation to the Freedom 
 of the Press and Trial by Jury, 1660 — 1820. With application to 
 later years. By J. Routledge. 8vo. i6s. 
 " The volume abounds in facts and information, ahnost always useful 
 and often curious^ — Times. 
 
 Rumford. — COUNT RUMFORD'S COMPLETE WORKS, 
 
 with Memoir, and Notices of his Daughter. By George Ellis. 
 Five Vols. 8vo. 4/. 14^'. 6^/. 
 
26 MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN 
 Seeley (Professor). — lectures and essays. By 
 
 J. R. Seeley, M.A. Professor of Modem History in the 
 University of Cambridge. 8vo. loj. 6^. 
 Contents : — Roman Imperialism : i. The Great Roman Revolu- 
 tion; 2. The Proximate Cause of the Fall of the Roman Empire ; 
 The Later Emfiire. — Milton's Political Oi)inions — Milton's Poetry 
 — Elementary Principles in Art — Liberal Education in Universities 
 — English in Schools — The Church as a Teacher of Morality — The 
 Teaching of Politics : an Inaugural Lecture delivered at Cambridge. 
 
 Shelburne.— LIFE OF William, earl of shelburne, 
 
 AFTERWARDS FIRST MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE. 
 
 With Extracts from his Papers and Correspondence. By Lord 
 
 Edmond Fitzmaurice. In Three Vols. 8vo. Vol. I. 1737 — 
 
 1766, \zs. ; Vol.lII. 1766— 1776, I2J. ; Vol. IIL 1776 — 1805. idf. 
 
 "Lord Edmond Fitzmaurice has succeeded in placing before us a 
 
 wealth of new matter^ which^ while casting valuable ajtd much-needed 
 
 light on several obscure passages in the political history of a hundred 
 
 years ago, has enabled us for the first time to form a clear and consistent 
 
 idea of his ancestor.'" — Spectator. 
 
 Sime. — HISTORY OF GERMANY. By James Sime, M.A. 
 i8mo. 3J-. Being Vol. V. of the Historical Course for Schools: 
 Edited by Edward A. Freeman, D.C.L. 
 " This is a remarkably clear and impressive History of Gerfnany." — 
 Standard. 
 
 Squier.—PERU : INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL AND EX- 
 
 PLORATION IN THE LAND OF THE INCAS. By E. G. 
 
 Squier, M.A., F.S.A., late U.S. Commissioner to Peru. With 
 
 300 Illustrations. Second Edition. 8vo. 21s. 
 
 The Times says : — ** No more solid and trustworthy contribution hcut 
 
 been made to an accurate knowledge of what are among the most wonderful 
 
 ruins in the world. The work is really what its title implies. While of 
 
 the greatest importance as a contribution to Pei uvian archcBology, it is also a 
 
 thoroughly entertaining and instructive narrative of travel. Not the least 
 
 important featuremustbeconsideredthenumerouswellexecutedillustrations,** 
 
 Strangford.— EGYPTIAN SHRINES AND SYRIAN SEPUL- 
 CHRES, including a Visit to Palmyra. By Emily A. Beaufort 
 (Viscountess Strangford), Author of "The Eastern Shores ol 
 the Adriatic." New Edition. Crown 8vo. 7^. 6d. 
 
 Tait.— AN ANALYSIS OF ENGLISH HISTORY, based upon 
 Green's " Short History of the English People." By C. W. A. 
 Tait, M.A., Assistant Master, Chfton College. Crown 8vo. 
 y.6d. 
 
'HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC. 27 
 
 Tait. — CATHARINE AND CRAUFURD TAIT, WIFE ANI> 
 SON OF ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL, ARCHBISHOP OF 
 CANTERBURY : a Memoir, Edited, at the request of the Arch- 
 bishop, by the Rev. W. Benham, B.D., Vicar of Margate, and 
 One of the Six Preachers of Canterbury Cathedral. With Two- 
 Portraits engraved by Jeens. Crown 8vo. 12s. 6d. 
 *' The volume can scarcely fail to be read widely and with deep interest, 
 ^ . . It is difficult to put it dozmi when once taken in hand, still more 
 difficult to get through it without emotion. . . . We commend the volume 
 to those who knew Catharine and Craufurd Tait as one which will bring 
 back to their minds recollections of their characters as true as the recollec- 
 tions of the faces brought back by the ttvo excellent portraits tuhich adorn 
 the book ; while to those who knew them not, %ve commend it as containing 
 the record of two noble Christian lives, which it will be a pleasure to 
 them to conteinplate and an advantage to emulate J'^ — Times. 
 
 Thomas.— THE life of JOHN THOMAS, Surgeon of the 
 "Earl of Oxford" East Indiaman, and First Baptist Missionary to 
 Bengal. By C. B. Lewis, Baptist Missionary. 8vo. los. 6d. 
 
 Thompson. — HISTORY OF ENGLAND. By Edith Thomp- 
 SON. Being Vol. II. of the Historical Course for Schools, Edited 
 by Edward A. Freeman, D.C.L. New Edition, revised and 
 enlarged, with Maps. i8mo. 2s. 6d. 
 *^ Freedom from prejudice, simplicity of style, and accuracy of state- 
 ment, are the characteristics of this volume. It is a trustworthy text-book, 
 and likely to be generally serviceable in schools P — Pall Mall Gazette. 
 " In its great accuracy and correctness of detail it stands far ahead of the 
 general run of school manuals. Its arrangement, too, is clear, and its 
 style simple and straighi/orward." — Saturday Review. 
 
 Todhunter. — the CONFLICT OF studies ; AND 
 
 OTHER ESSAYS ON SUBJECTS CONNECTED WITH 
 EDUCATION. By Isaac Todhunter, M.A., F.R.S., late 
 Fellow and Principal Mathematical Lecturer 01 St. John's College, 
 Cambridge. 8vo. 10s. 6d. 
 
 Trench (Archbishop). — For other Works by the same Author, 
 
 see Theological and Belles Lettres Catalogues, and 
 
 page 30 of this Catalogue. 
 GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS IN GERMANY, and other Lectures 
 
 on the Thirty Years' War. Second Edition, revised and enlarged.. 
 
 Fcap. 8vo. 4^." 
 PLUTARCH, HIS LIFE, HIS LIVES, AND HIS MORALS. 
 
 Five Lectures. Second Edition, enlarged. Fcap. 8vo. 3J. 6d. 
 LECTURES ON MEDIEVAL CHURCH HISTORY. Bein^ 
 
 the substance of Lectures delivered in Queen's College, London. 
 
 Second Edition, revised. 8vo. 12s. 
 
28 MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN 
 
 Trench (Maria).— THE LIFE OF ST. TERESA. By Maria 
 Trench. With Portrait engraved by Jeens. Crovvn 8vo, cloth 
 extra. 8j. (>d. 
 " A book of rare interest.''— ]OYL^ Bull. 
 
 Trench (Mrs. R.)— REMAINS OF THE LATE MRS. 
 RICHARD TRENCH. Being Selections from her Journals, 
 Letters, and other Papers. Edited by Archbishop Trench. 
 New and Cheaper Issue, with Portrait. 8vo. 6j. 
 
 Trollope.— A HISTORY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF 
 FLORENCE FROM THE EARLIEST INDEPENDENCE 
 OF THE COMMUNE TO THE FALL OF THE REPUBLIC 
 IN 183 1. By T. Adolphus Trollope. 4 Vols. 8vo. Half 
 morocco. 2\s, 
 
 Uppingham by the Sea.— a narrative of the 
 
 YEAR AT BORTH. By J. H. S. Crown 8vo. 3^. (>d. 
 
 Victor Emmanuel II., First King of Italy — HIS 
 
 LIFE. By G. S. Godkin, 2 vols., crown 8vo. t6j. 
 *^ An extremely clear and interesting history 0/ one of the moit 
 important changes of later times.''' — Examiner. 
 
 Wallace.— THE MALAY ARCHIPELAGO: the Land of the 
 
 Orang Utan and the Bird of Paradise. By Alfred Russel 
 
 Wallace. A Narrative of Travel with Studies of Man and 
 
 Nature. With Maps and numerous Illustrations. Sixth Edition. 
 
 Crown 8vo. 7 J. 6d. 
 
 ♦* T^e result is a vivid picture of tropical life^ which may be read with 
 
 unflagging interest^ and a sufficient account of his scientific conclusions to 
 
 stimulate our appetite without wearying us by detail. In short, we may 
 
 safely say that we have never read a more agreeable book of its kind'* — 
 
 Saturday Review. 
 
 Ward.— A HISTORY OF ENGLISH DRAMATIC LITERA-' 
 TURE TO THE DEATH OF QUEEN ANNE. By A. W. 
 Ward, M.A., Professor of History and English Literature in 
 Owens College, Manchester. Two Vols. 8vo. 32J. 
 *' As full of interest as of information. To students of dramatic 
 
 literature invaluable, and may be equally recommended to readers for 
 
 mere pastime.^' — Pall Mall Gazette. 
 
 ^Vard (J.)— EXPERIENCES OF A DIPLOMATIST. Being 
 recollections of Germany founded on Diaries kept during the years 
 1840—1870. By John Ward, C.B., late H.M. Minister- 
 Resident to the Hanse Towns. 8vo. \os. td. 
 
NTS TORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC, 29 
 
 Waterton (C.)— WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA, 
 THE NORTH-WEST OF THE UNITED STATES, AND 
 THE ANTILLES IN 1812, 1816, 1820, and 1824. With 
 Original Instructions for the perfect Preservation of Birds, etc., 
 for Cabinets of Natural History. By Charles Waterton. 
 New Edition, edited with Biographical Introduction and Explana- 
 tory Index by the Rev. J. G. Wood, M.A. With 100 Illustrations. 
 Cheaper Edition. Cro^^•n 8vo. 6s. 
 
 Wedgwood.— JOHN WESLEY AND THE EVANGELICAL 
 REACTION of the Eighteenth Century. By Julia Wedgwood. 
 Crown Svo. Sj. 6d, 
 
 Whewell.— WILLIAM WHEWELL, D.D., late Master ol 
 Trinity College, Cambridge. An Account of his Writings, with 
 Selections from his Literary and Scientific Correspondence. By 
 I. ToDHUNTER, M.A., F.R.S. Two Vols. Svo. 25^. 
 
 White. — THE NATURAL HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES 
 OF SELBORNE. By (;ilbert White. Edited, with Memoir 
 and Notes, by Frank Buckland, A Chapter on Antiquities by 
 Lord Selborne, Map, &c., and numerous Illustrations by 
 P. H. Delamotte. Royal Svo. Cloth, extra gilt. Cheaper 
 Issue. 2\$. 
 Also a Large Paper Edition, containing, in addition to the above, 
 upwards of Thirty Woodburytype Illustrations from Drawings 
 by Prof. Delamotte. Two Vols. 4to. Half morocco, elegant. 
 4/. 4J. 
 "Mr. Delamotte s charming illustrations are a worthy decoration of S0- 
 
 dainty a book. They bring Selborne before us, and really help us to' 
 
 understand why Whites love for his native place ncver grew cold." — 
 
 Times. 
 
 Wilson.— A MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON, M. D., 
 F.R.S.E., Regius Professor of Technology in the University of 
 Edinburgh. By his Sister. New Edition. Crown Svo. 6s. 
 
 Wilson (Daniel, LL.D.) — Works by Daniel Wilson,. 
 
 LL.D., Professor of History and English Literature in University 
 
 College, Toronto : — 
 PREHISTORIC ANNALS OF SCOTLAND. New Edition, 
 
 with numerous Illustrations. Two Vols, demy Svo. 36^. 
 " One of the most interesting, learned, and elegant works we have 
 seen for a long time." — Westminster Review. 
 
 PREHISTORIC MAN : Researches into the Origin of Civilization 
 
 in the Old and New World. New Edition, revised and enlarged 
 
 throughout, with numerous Illustrations and two Coloured Plates. 
 
 Two Vols. Svo. 36^. 
 
30 MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF 
 
 Wilson . — continued. 
 
 '* A valttable work pleasantly written and well worthy of attention 
 both by students and general readers," — Academy. 
 
 CHATTERTON : A Biographical Study. By Daniel Wilson, 
 LL.D., Professor of History and English Literature in University 
 College, Toronto. Crown 8vo. 6^. (id. 
 
 Yonge (Charlotte M.)— Works by Charlotte M. Yonge, 
 Author of **The Heir of RedclyflFe," &c, &c. :— 
 
 A PARALLEL HISTORY OF FRANCE AND ENGLAND : 
 
 consisting of Outlines and Dates. Oblong 4to. 3J. 6</. 
 
 CAMEOS FROM ENGLISH HISTORY. From Rollo to Edward 
 II. Extra fcap. 8vo. Third Edition. 5j. 
 
 Second Series, THE WARS IN FRANCE. Extra fcap. 
 8vo. Third Edition. Sj. 
 
 Third Series, THE WARS OF THE ROSES. Extra 
 fcap. 8vo. 5^. 
 ** Instead of dry details" says the NONCONFORMIST, *' we have living 
 pictures^ faithful ^ zivid, and striking." 
 
 Fourth Series. Reformation Times. Extra fcap. 8vo. 5^. 
 
 HISTORY OF FRANCE. Maps. i8mo. 3^.6^/. 
 
 [Historical Course for Schools. 
 
WORKS IN POLITICS, ETC. 31 
 
 POLITICS, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL 
 ECONOMY, LAW, AND KINDRED 
 SUBJECTS. 
 
 Anglo-Saxon Law.— essays in. Contents : Law Courts 
 — Land and Family Laws and Legal Procedure generally. With 
 Select cases. Medium 8vo. i8j. 
 
 Arnold. — THE ROMAN SYSTEM OF PROVINCIAL ADMIN- 
 ISTRATION TO THE ACCESSION OF CONSTANTINE 
 THE GREAT. Being the Arnold Prize Essay for 1879. By 
 W. T. Arnold, B. A. Crown 8vo. 6s. 
 
 Ball.— THE STUDENT'S GUIDE TO THE BAR. By 
 Walter W. Ball, M.A., of the Inner Temple, Barrister-at- 
 Law. Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d. 
 ** The student will here find a clear statement of the several steps by 
 
 which the degree of barrister is obtained^ and also useful advice about 
 
 the advantages of a prolonged course of * reading in Chambers. ' " — 
 
 Academy. 
 
 Bernard.- FOUR LECTURES ON SUBJECTS CONNECTED 
 WITH DIPLOMACY. By Montague Bernard, M.A., 
 Chichele Professor of International Law and Diplomacy, Oxford. 
 8vo. 9J. 
 ^^ Singularly interesting lectures^ so able, clear, and attractive." — Spec- 
 tator. 
 
 Bright (John, M.P.)— Works by the Right Hon. John Bright, 
 M.P. 
 
 SPEECHES ON QUESTIONS OF PUBLIC POLICY. 
 Edited by Professor Thorold Rogers. Author's Popular Edition. 
 Globe 8vo. y. 6d. 
 ^^ Mr. Bright* s speeches will always deserve to be studied, as an 
 apprenticeship to popular and parliamentarv oratory ; they will form 
 materials for the history of our time, and many brilliant passages, 
 perliaps some entire speeches, will really become a part of the living litera- 
 ture of England." — Daily News. 
 
 LIBRARY EDITION. Two Vols. 8vo. With Portrait. 25^. 
 
 PUBLIC ADDRESSES. Edited by J. Thorold Rogers. 8vo. 
 145-. 
 
32 MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF 
 
 Bucknill, — HABITUAL DRUNKENNESS AND IN'SANE 
 DRUNKARDS. By J. C. Bucknill, M.D., F.R.S., late 
 - • LcJrd Chancellor's Visitor of Lunatics. Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d, 
 
 Cairnes. — Works by J. E. Cairn es, M.A., Emeritus Professor of 
 Political Economy in University College, London. 
 ESSAYS IN POLITICAL ECONOMY, THEORETICAL 
 and APPLIED. By J. E. Cairnes, M.A., Professor of Political 
 Economy in University College, London. 8vo. los. 6d. 
 POLITICAL ESSAYS. 8vo. los. 6d. 
 SOME LEADING PRINCIPLES OF POLITICAL ECONOMY 
 
 NEWLY EXPOUNDED. 8vo. 14J. 
 Contents : — I'ar^ I. Value. Part II. Labour and Capital^ Part 
 III. International Trade. 
 
 "A work which is perhaps the most valuable contribution to the science 
 made since the publication^ a quarter of a century since^ of Mr. MilVs 
 'Principles of Political Economy: "—Daily News. 
 THE CHARACTER AND LOGICAL METHOD OF POLI- 
 TICAL ECONOMY. New Edition, enlarged. 8vo. Is. 6d. 
 ** These lectures are admirably fitted to correct the slipshod generaliza- 
 tions which pass current as the science of Political Economy^ — Times. 
 
 Cobden (Richard).— speeches on questions of 
 
 PUBLIC POLICY. By Richard Cobden. Edited by the 
 Right Hon. John Bright, M.P., and J. E. Thorold Rogers. 
 Popular Edition. 8vo. 3^. dd. 
 
 Fawcett. — Works by Henry Fawcett, M.A., M.P., Fellow of 
 Trinity Hall, and Professor of Political Economy in the University 
 of Cambridge : — 
 THE ECONOMIC POSITION OF THE BRITISH 
 
 LABOURER. Extra fcap. 8vo. 5j. 
 MANUAL OF POLITICAL ECONOMY. Fifth Edition, witli 
 New Chapters on the Depreciation of Silver, etc. Crown 8vo. 
 I2J, 
 .« • The Daily News says: ''It forms one of the best introductions to the 
 principles of the science, and to <^ts practical applications in the problems 
 of modern^ and especially of En^ish, government and society." 
 
 PAUPERISM : ITS CAUSES AND REMEDIES. Crown 8vo. 
 
 Ss. 6d. 
 The Athenaeum calls the work "a repertory of interesting and well 
 digested injormation." 
 
 SPEECHES ON SOME CURRENT POLITICAL QUES- 
 TIONS. 8vo. los. 6d. 
 ■' ** They will help to educate, not perhaps, parties, hut the educators of 
 parties.''— Da.ii.\ News. 
 
WORKS IN POLITICS, ETC 33 
 
 Fawcett. — continued. 
 FREE TRADE AND PROTECTION: an Inquiry into the 
 Causes which have retarded the general adoption of Free Trade 
 since its introduction into England. Third Edition. 8vo. 7^-. dd. 
 *^ No greater service can be rendered to the cause of Free Trade than a 
 clear explanation of the principles on which Free Trade rests. Pro- 
 fessor Fawcett has done this in the volume before us with all his habitual 
 clearness of thought and expression." — Economist. 
 
 ESSAYS ON POLITICAL AND SOCIAL SUBJECTS. By 
 Professor Fawcett, M.P., and Millicent Garrett 
 Fawcett. 8vo. ioj. 6d. 
 ** They will all repay the perusal of the thinking reader y — Daily 
 News. 
 
 Fawcett (Mrs.) — Works by Millicent Garrett Fawcett. 
 
 POLITICAL ECONOMY FOR BEGINNERS. WITH QUES- 
 TIONS. New Edition. i8mo. 2j. hd. 
 
 The Daily News calls it ^^ clear ^ compact, and comprehensive ;" and 
 the Spectator says^ **Mrs, Fawcetfs trmtise is perfectly suited to its 
 purpose.^'' 
 
 TALES IN POLITICAL ECONOMY. Crown 8vo. 3^. 
 
 *' The idea is a good one, and it is quite wonderful what a mass of 
 economic teaching the author manages to compress into a small space. . . The 
 true doctrines of International Trade, Currency, and the ratio between 
 Production and Population, are set before us and illustrated in a masterly 
 manner r — Athen^um. 
 
 Freeman (E. A.), M.A., D.C.L.— comparative 
 
 POLITICS. Lectures at the Royal Institution, to which is 
 added ** The Unity of History," being the Rede Lecture delivered 
 i at Cambridge in 1872. 8vo. 14J. 
 
 " We find in Mr. Freeman! s new volume the same sound, careful, 
 comprehensive qualities which have long ago raised him to so high a place 
 amongst historical writers. For historical discipline, then, as well as 
 historical information, Mr. Freemaiis book is full of value."" — Pall 
 Mall Gazette. 
 
 Goschen.— REPORTS AND SPEECHES ON LOCAL TAXA- 
 TION. By George j. GoscHEN, M.P. Royal 8vo. 5^. 
 ** The volume contains a vast mass of information of the highest value." 
 — Athenaeum. 
 
 Guide to the Unprotected, in Every Day Matters Re- 
 lating to Property and Income. By a Banker's Daughter. 
 Fourth Edition, Revised. Extra fcap. 8vo. 3J. 6d, 
 c 
 
34 MACmLLAWS CATALOGUE OF 
 
 "Many an unprotected female 7vill bless the head which planned and 
 the hand which compiled this admirable little manual. . . . This book 
 was very milch wanted^ and it could not have been better don^.'* — 
 MoRNtNG Star. 
 
 Hamilton. —MONEY and VALUE: an Inquiry into tlie 
 
 Means and Ends of Economic Production, with an Appendix 
 
 on the Depreciation of Silver and Indian Currency. By Rowland 
 
 Hamilton, 8vo. 12s. 
 
 ** The subject is here dealt with in a luminous style, and by presenting 
 
 it from a new point of view in connection with the nature and functions 
 
 of money, a genuine service has been rendered to commercial science.'''' — 
 
 British Quarterly Review. 
 
 Harwood. — disestablishment : a Defence of the Principle 
 of a National Church. By George Harwood, M. A. 8vo. I2J. 
 
 Hill.— OUR COMMON LAND : and otlfer Short Essays. By 
 
 Octavia Hill. Extra fcap. 8vo. 3^. dd. ' -^ ^ 
 
 Contents : — Our Common Land. District Visiting. A More 
 
 Excellent Way of Charity. A Word on Good Citizenship. Open Spaces', 
 
 Effectual Charity. The Future of our Commons. '•'\ 
 
 HistoricuS.— LETTERS ON SOME QUESTIONS OF 
 INTERNATIONAL LAW. Reprinted from the Times, with 
 considerable Additions. 8vo. pfed. Also, ADDITIONAL 
 LETTERS, 8vo. 2s. 6d. \^ 
 
 Holland.— THE TREATY RELATIONS OF RUSSIA AND 
 TURKEY FROM 1774 TO 1853. A Lecture delivered at Oxford, 
 April 1877. By T. E. Holland, D.C.L., Professor of Inter- 
 national Law and Diplomacy, Oxford. Crown 8vo. 2s. 
 
 Hughes (Thos.)— THE OLD CHURCH : WHAT SHALL 
 WE DO WITH IT? By Thomas Hughes, Q.C. Crown 
 8vo. 6s. 
 
 Jevons. — Works by W. Stanley Jevons, M.A., Professor of 
 Political Economy in University College, London. (For other 
 Works by the same Author, see Educational and Philo- 
 sophical Catalogues.) 
 
 THE THEORY OF POLITICAL ECONOMY. Second Edition, 
 revised, with new Preface and Appendices. 8vo. lOj. 6d. 
 ^'Professor jevons has done invaluable service by courageously claimin^^ 
 
 political economy to be strictly a branch of Applied MathefHotics. ' 
 
 —Westminster Review. 
 
 PRIMER OF POLITICAL ECONOMY. i8mo. u. 
 
WORKS IN POLITICS, ETC. 35 
 
 Laveleye. — primitive property. By Emile de 
 Laveleye. Translated by G. R. L. Marriott, LL. B., with an 
 Introduction by T. E. Cliffe Leslie, LL.B. 8vo. izs. 
 " It is almost impossible to over-estimate the value of the well-digested 
 
 knowledge which It contains ; it is one of the most learned books that 
 
 have been contnbuted to the historical department of the literature oj 
 
 ecdnomic science. " — Athen^UM. 
 
 Leading Cases done into English. By an Apprentice 
 OF Lincoln's Inn. Third Edition. Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d. 
 ** Here is a rare treat for the lovers of quaint conceits, who in reading 
 this charming little book will find enjoyinent in the varied metre and 
 graphic language in which the several tales are told, no less than in the 
 accurate and pithy rendei'ing of some of ouy most familiar ' Leading 
 Cases' "—Saturday Review. 
 
 Lubbock.-^ADDRESSES, POLITICAL AND EDUCA- 
 ^^ TIONAL. By Sir John Lubbock, Bait, M.P., &c., &c. 
 ^w- 8vo, pp. 209. Si-. 6</. 
 
 vv.The ten speeches given are (i) on the Imperial Policy of Great 
 "'*'; Britain, {2) on the Bank Act of 1844, (3) on the Present System 
 of Public School Education, 1876, (4) on the Present System of 
 Elementary Education, {5) on the Income Tax, (6) on the National 
 Debt, (7) on the Declai:ation of Paris, (8) on Marine Insurances, 
 (9) on the Preservation of Ancient Monuments, and (10) on Egypt. 
 
 Macdonell.— THE LAND QUESTION, WITH SPECIAL 
 REFERENCE TO ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND. By 
 John Macdonell, Barrister-at-Law. 8vo. loj. dd. 
 
 ^Marshall.— THE ECONOMICS OF INDUSTRY. By A. 
 Marshall, M.A., Principal of University College, Bristol, and 
 J ;i : Mary Paley Marshall, late Lecturer at Newnham Hall, 
 . - ^ Cambridge. Extra fcap. 8vo. 2J. bd, 
 
 Martin.— THE STATESMAN'S YEAR-BOOK: A Statistical 
 
 and Historical Annual of the States of the Civilized World, 
 
 for the year 1880. By Frederick Martin. Seventeenth Annual 
 
 Publication. Revised after Official Returns. Crown 8vo. loj. bd. 
 
 The Statesman's Year-Book is the only work in the English language 
 
 which furnishes a clear and concise account of the actual condition of all 
 
 the States of Europe, the civilized countries of America, Asia, and 
 
 Africa, and the British Colonies and Dependencies in all parts of the 
 
 world. The new issue of the work has been revised and corrected, on. the 
 
 basis of official reports received direct from the heads of the leading Govern- 
 
 ments of the world, in- reply to letters sent to them by the Editor. Through 
 
 the Valuable assistance thus given, it has been possible to collect an amount 
 
36 MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF 
 
 of information ^ political, statistical^ and commercial, of the latest date, and 
 of unimpeachable trustworthiness, such cls no publication of the same 
 kind has ever been able to furnish, *'As indispensable as Bradshaw." — 
 Times. 
 
 Monahan.— THE METHOD OF LAW: an Essay on the 
 Statement and Arrangement of the Legal Standard of Conduct. 
 By J. H. Monahan, Q. C. Crown 8vo. 6s. 
 ** JVill be found valuable by careful law students who have felt the 
 
 importance of gaining clear ideas regarding the relations between the parts 
 
 of the complex organism they have to study.'' — British Quarterly 
 
 Review. 
 
 Paterson.— THE LIBERTY OF THE SUBJECT AND THE 
 LAWS OF ENGLAND RELATING TO THE SECURITY 
 OF THE PERSON. Commentaries on. By James Paterson, 
 M. A. , Barrister at Law, sometime Commissioner for English and 
 Irish Fisheries, etc. Cheaper issue. Two Vols. Crown 8vo. 2\s. 
 ** Two ar three hours' dipping into these vdlum^s, nofto say reading them 
 through, will give legislators and stump orators a knowledge of the liberty 
 of a citizen of their country, in its principles, its fulness, and its modi- 
 fication, such as they probably in nine cases out of ten never had before.^^ 
 — Scotsman. 
 
 Phillimore.— PRIVATE LAW AMONG THE ROMANS, 
 from the Pandects. By John George Phillimore, Q.C. 8vo. 
 1 6 J. 
 
 Rogers.— COBDEN and political OPINION. By J. E. 
 
 TnoROLD Rogers. 8vo. los.dd, 
 " Will be found most useful by politicians of every school, as it forms a 
 sort of handbook to Cobden's teaching." — ATHENiEUM. 
 
 Stephen (C. E.)— THE SERVICE OF the POOR; 
 
 Being an Inquiry into the Reasons for and against the Establish- 
 ment of Religious Sisterhoods for Charitable Purposes. By 
 Caroline Emilia Stephen. Crown 8vo. ds. 6d. 
 *• The ablest advocate of a better lim of work in this direction that we 
 Jiave ever seen." — Examiner. 
 
 Stephen. — Works by Sir Jambs F. Stephen, K.C.S.I., Q.C. 
 
 A DIGEST OF THE LAW OF EVIt)ENCE. Third EdiUon 
 with New Preface. Crown 8vo. dr. 
 
 A DIGEST OF THE CRIMINAL LAW. (Crimes and 
 
 Punishments.) 8vo. i6j. 
 " We feel sure that any person of ordinary intelligence who had never 
 looked into a law-book in his life might, by a few days' careful study of 
 
WORKS IN POLITICS, ETC. yj 
 
 Stephen. — continued. 
 
 this volume, obtain a more accurate understanding of the criminal law, 
 a more perfect conception of its different bearings, a more thorough 
 and intelligent insight into its snares and pitfalls, than an ordhiary 
 practitioner can boast of after years of study of the ordinary text' 
 books and practical experience of the Courts unassisted by any competent 
 guide.'' — Saturday Review. 
 
 A GENERAL VIEW OF THE CRIMINAL LAW OF ENG- 
 LAND. Two Vols. Crown 8vo. \_New edition in the press. 
 
 Stubbs.— VILLAGE POLITICS. Addresses and Sermons on 
 the Labour Question. By C. W. Stubbs, M.A., Vicar of 
 Granborough, Bucks. Extra fcap. 8vo. 3^. ^d. 
 
 Thornton. — Works by W. T. Thornton, C.B., Secretary for 
 
 Public Works in the India Office : — 
 
 '^ ON LABOUR: Its Wrongful Claims and Rightful Dues; Its 
 
 Actual Present and Possible Future. Second Edition, revised, 
 
 8vo. 14J. 
 
 : A PLEA FOR PEASANT PROPRIETORS : With the Outlines 
 
 , of a Plan for their Establishment in Ireland. New Edition, 
 
 . revised. Crown Svo. ']s. 6d. 
 INDIAN PUBLIC WORKS AND COGNATE INDIAN 
 TOPICS. With Map of Indian Railways. Crown Svo. 8j. 6d. 
 
 Walker. — Works by F. A. Walker, M.A., Ph.D., Professor of 
 Political Economy and History, Yale College : — 
 THE WAGES QUESTION. A Treatise on Wages and the 
 
 Wages Class. 8vo. 14J. 
 MONEY. 8vo. i6s. 
 
 ** It is painstaking, laborious, and states the question in a clear and 
 
 •very intelligible form. . . . The volume possesses a great value as a sort 
 
 of encyclopcedia of knowledge on the subject T — Economist. 
 
 MONEY IN ITS RELATIONS TO TRADE AND INDUSTRY. 
 
 Crown Svo. \Shortly. 
 
 Work about the Five Dials. with an Introductory 
 i' . Note by Thomas Carlyle. Crown Svo. 6j. 
 
 "^ book which abounds with wise and practical suggestions.''— ?AUL 
 Mall Gazette. 
 
 .-illAii 
 
38 MACMILLAlSrS CATALOGUE OF 
 
 WORKSCONNECTED WITH THE SCIENCE 
 OR THE HISTORY OF LANGUAGE. ^ 
 
 Abbott.— A SHAKESPERIAN GRAMMAR : An Attempt to 
 
 illustrate some of the Differences between Elizabethan and Modem 
 
 . English. By the Rev. E. A. Abbott, D.D., Head Master of the 
 
 City of London School. New and Enlarged Edition. Extra 
 
 fcap. 8vo. ds. 
 
 . ^* Valuable not only as an aid to the critical sttidy of Shakespearty 
 
 hut as lending to fatniliarize the reader with Elizabethan English in 
 
 general. " — ATHENAEUM. 
 
 Breymann.— A FRENCH GRAMMAR BASED ON PHILO- 
 LOGICAL PRINCIPLES. By Hermann Breymann, Ph.D., 
 Professor of Philology in the University of Munich late Lecturer 
 on French Language and Literature ' at Owens College, Man- 
 
 •"' 'Chester. Extra fcap. 8vo. 4J. dd. ■'-' ^ ^--^ l..-.-i i it - 
 
 Ellis PRACTICAL HINTS ON THE QUANTITATIVE 
 
 PRONUNCIATION OF LATIN, FOR THE USE OF 
 CLASSICAL TEACHERS AND LINGUISTS. By A. J. 
 Ellis, B.A., F.R.S., &c. Extra fcap. 8vo. 4x. dd. 
 
 Fleay.— A Shakespeare manual. By the Rev. f. g. 
 
 Fleay, M.A., Head Master of Skipton Grammar School. Extra 
 fcap. 8vo. 4$-. 6df, 
 
 Goodwin. — Works by W. W. GOODWIN, Professor of Greek 
 
 Literature in Harvard University. 
 ^.-SYNTAX OF THE GREEK MOODS AND TENSES. New 
 Edition. Crown 8vo. 6j. dd. 
 AN ELEMENTARY GREEK GRAMMAR. Crown 8vo. 6j.\5i 
 " // is the best Greek Grammar of its size in the English language,** — 
 ATHENiCUM. . V6 IJWO; > ■ 
 
 Hadley.— ESSAYS PHILOLOGICAL AND CRITTCAt. 
 
 Selected from the Papers of James Hadley, LL.D., Professor of 
 Greek in Yale College, &c 8vo. i6j. 
 
 Hales.— LONGER ENGLISH POEMS. With Notes, Philo- 
 logical and Explanatory, and an Introduction on the Teaching of 
 English. Chiefly for use in Schools. Edited by J. W. Hales, 
 M.A., Professor of English Literature at King's Collie, London, 
 &c. &c. Fifth Edition. Extra fcap. 8vo. 4J. 6d. 
 
WORKS ON LANGUAGE. 39 
 
 Helfenstein (James). — a comparative grammar 
 
 OF THE TEUTONIC LANGUAGES : Being at the same 
 time a Historical Grammar of the English Language, and com- 
 prising Gothic, Anglo-Saxon, Early English, Modern English, 
 ^;. Icelandic (Old Norse), Danish, Swedish, Old High German, 
 Middle High German, Modern German, Old Saxon, Old Frisian, 
 and Dutch. By James Helfenstein, Ph.D. 8vo. i?>s. 
 
 Masson (Gustave).— a COMPENDIOUS dictionary 
 
 ,.. OF THE FRENCH LANGUAGE (French-Enghsh and English- 
 Y French). Followed by a List of the Principal Diverging Deriva« 
 tions, and preceded by Chronological and Historical Tables. By 
 Gustave Masson, Assistant-Master and Librarian, Harrow 
 School. Fourth Edition. Crown 8vo. Half-bound. 6j. 
 *' A hook zvhich any student, whatever may be the degree of his ad- 
 vancement in the lanQuage, would do well to have on the table close at 
 hand while he is reading.''— Saturday Review. 
 
 Mayor. — a BIBLIOGRAPHICAL CLUE TO LATIN LITE- 
 RATURE. Edited after Dr. E. Hubner. With large Additions 
 by John E. B. Mayor, M.A., Professor of Latin in the Univer- 
 sity of Cambridge. Crown 8vo. 6s. 6d. 
 ** An extrcm,ely useful volume that should be in the hands of all 
 
 scholars." — Athen^UM. 
 
 Morris. — Works by the Rev. Richard Morris, LL.D., Member 
 of the Council of the Philol. Soc, Lecturer on English Language 
 and Literature in King's College School, Editor of " Specimens 
 
 . f, of Early English," etc., etc. : — 
 
 ..HISTORICAL OUTLINES OF ENGLISH ACCIDENCE, 
 comprising Chapters on the History and Development of 
 the Language, and on Word-formation, Sixth Edition. Fcap. 
 8vo. 6j. 
 ELEMENTARY LESSONS IN HISTORICAL ENGLISH 
 GRAMMAR, containing Accidence and Word-formation. Third 
 Edition. i8mo. 2s. 6d. 
 
 Oliphant. — the OLD AND MIDDLE ENGLISH. By 
 
 T. L. Kington Oliphant, M.A., of Balliol College, Oxford. 
 
 A New Edition, revised and greatly enlarged, of " The Sources 
 
 of Standard English." Extra fcap. 8vo. gs. 
 
 *^ Mr. Oliphant' s book is to our mind, one of the ablest and most 
 
 scholarly contributions to our standard English we have seen for many 
 
 ^mrj."— School Board Chronicle. ^'' The book comes nearer to a 
 
 history of the English language than anything we have seen since such a 
 
 history could be written, without conjusion and contradictions^' — 
 
 Saturday Review. 
 
40 MA CMILLAlsrS CA TALOGUE OF 
 
 Peile (John, M.A.)— an introduction to gueek 
 
 AND LATIN ETYMOLOGY. By John Peile, M.A., 
 Fellow and Tutor of Christ's College, Cambridge. Third 
 and revised Edition. Crown 8vo. los. 6d. 
 **TAe book may be accepted as a very valuable contribution to the 
 science of language ^ — Saturday Review. 
 
 Philology.— THE JOURNAL OF SACRED AND CLAS- 
 SICAL PHILOLOGY. Four Vols. 8vo. I2J. dd. each. 
 
 THE JOURNAL OF PHILOLOGY. New Series. Edited by 
 ^.^ John E. B. Mayor, M.A., and W. Aldis Wright, M.A. 
 '■u',, 4^. dd, (Half-yearly.) 
 
 Roby (H. J.)— A GRAMMAR OF THE LATIN LANGUAGE, 
 FROM PLAUTUS TO SUETONIUS. By Henry John 
 Roby, M.A., late Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge. 
 In Two Parts. Second Edition. Part I, containing : — Book I. 
 Sounds. Book II. Inflexions. Book III. Word Formation. Ap- 
 pendices. Crown 8vo. 8j. dd. Part II. — Syntax, Prepositions, 
 &c. Crown 8vo. \os. 6d. 
 ^^The book is marked by the clear and practical insight of a master in 
 his art. It is a book which would do honour to any country.^' — 
 ATHENi^UM, ^^ Brings before the student in a methodical form the best 
 results oj modern philology bearing on the Latin language. " — SCOTSMAN. 
 
 Schmidt.— THE RYTHMIC AND METRIC OF THE 
 CLASSICAL LANGUAGES. To which are added, the Lyric 
 Parts of the "Medea" of Euripides and the "Antigone" of 
 Sophocles ; with Rhythmical Scheme and Commentary. By 
 Dr. J. H. Schmidt. Translated from the German by J. W. 
 White, D.D. 8vo. los. 6d. 
 
 Taylor. — Works by the Rev. Isaac Taylor, M.A.:— 
 ETRUSCAN RESEARCHES. With Woodcuts. 8vo. 144. 
 The Times says : — *' The learning and industry displayed in this 
 volume deserve the most cordial recognition. The ultimate verdict of 
 science we shall not attempt to anticipate ; but we can sajely say this, that 
 it is a learned book which the unlearned can enjoy, and that in the de- 
 scriptions of the tomb-builders, as well as in the marvellous ccnncidences 
 and unexpected analogies brought together by the author, readers of every 
 grade may take delight as well as philosophers and scholars.** 
 
 WORDS AND PLACES ; or. Etymological Illustrations of 
 History, Ethnology, and Geography. By the Rev. Isaac Taylor. 
 Third Edition, revised and compressed. With Maps. Globe 
 8vo. 6s. 
 
 GREEKS AND GOTHS : « Study on the Runes. 8vo. 9J. 
 
WORKS ON LANGUAGE. 41 
 
 Trench, — Works by "R. Chenevix Trench, D.D., Archbishop of 
 Dublin. (For other Works by the same Author, see Theological 
 Catalogue.) 
 
 SYNONYMS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. Eighth Edition, 
 
 enlarged. 8vo, cloth. 12s, 
 *^JIe is" the Athen^^UM says^ "« guide in this department of 
 knowledge to whom his readers may entrust thettiselves with confidence.'' 
 
 ON THE STUDY OF WORDS. Lectures Addressed (originally) 
 to the Pupils at the Diocesan Training School, Winchester. 
 Seventeenth Edition, enlarged. Fcap. 8vo. 5^. 
 
 ENGLISH PAST AND PRESENT. Tenth Edition, revised 
 and improved. Fcap. 8vo. 5j. 
 
 A SELECT GLOSSARY OF ENGLISH WORDS USED 
 FORMERLY IN SENSES DIFFERENT FROM THEIR 
 PRESENT. Fifth Edition, enlarged. Fcap. Svo. 5^. 
 
 Vincent and Dickson. — a handbook to modern 
 
 GREEK. By Edgar Vincent and T. G. Dickson. Extra 
 fcap. Svo. Ss. 
 
 Whitney.— A compendious German grammar. By 
 
 W. D. Whitney, Professor of Sanskrit and Instructor in Modern 
 Languages in Yale College. Crown Svo. 6s. 
 ^^ After careful examination we are inclined to pronounce it the best 
 grammar of modern language we have ever seen.'' — Scotsman. 
 
 Whitney and Edgren.— a COMPENDIOUS GERMAN 
 
 AND ENGLISH DICTIONARY, with Notation of Correspon- 
 dences and Brief Etymologies. By Pi-ofessor W. D. Whitney, 
 assisted by A. PI. Edgren. Crown Svo. 7^. (id. 
 
 The GERMAN-ENGLISH Part may be had separately. Price 5^. 
 
 Vonge.— HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN NAMES. By Char- 
 lotte M. YoNGE, Author of "The Heir of Redclyfie." 
 Cheaper Edition. Two Vols. Crown Svo. I2J. 
 
Now publishing, in crown 8vo, price 2s. 6d. each. 
 
 ENGLISH MEN OF LETTERS. 
 
 Edited by JOHN MORLEY. 
 
 A Series of Short Books to tell people what is best worth knowing 
 to the Life, Character, and Works of some of the 
 great English Writers. 
 
 ENGLISH MEN OF LETTERS. -JOHNSON. By Leslie 
 
 STEPHEN. 
 " The new series opens well with Mr. Leslie Stephen's sketch of 
 Dr. Johnson. It could hardly have been done better, and it will convey 
 to the readers for whom it is intended a juster estimate of Johnson than 
 either of the two essays of Lord Macaulay." — Pall Mall Gazette 
 
 ENGLISH MEN OF LETTERS.— SCOTT. By R. H. Hutton. 
 
 " The tone of the volu ne is excellect throughout." — Athenccum. 
 " We could not wish for a more suggestive introduction to Scott and 
 his poems and novels." — Examiner. 
 
 ENGLISH MEN OF LETTERS. -GIBBON. By J. C. 
 
 MORISON. 
 " As a clear, thoughtful, and attractive record of the life and works 
 of the greatest among the world's historians, it deserves the highest 
 praise. " — Examiner. 
 
 ENGLISH MEN OF LETTERS.— SHELLEY. By J. A. 
 
 SYMONDS. 
 " The lovers of this great poet are to be congratulated on having at 
 their command so fresh, clear, and intelligent a presentment of the 
 subject, written by a man of adequate and wide culture." — Athenaum. 
 
 ENGLISH MEN OF LETTERS.— HUME. By Professor 
 HUXLEY. 
 ** It may fairly be said that no one now living cculd have expounded 
 Hume with more sympathy or with equal perspicuity." — Athenaum. 
 
 ENGLISH MEN OF LETTERS. — GOLDSMITH. By 
 
 WILLIAM BLACK. 
 " Mr. Black brings a fine sympathy and taste to bear in his criticism 
 of Goldsmith's writings, as well as in his sketch of the incidents of his 
 li'"e." — Athenaum. 
 
 ENGLISH MEN OF LETTERS. -DEFOE. By W. Minto. 
 
 " Mr. Minto's book is careful and accurate in all that is stated, and 
 faithful in all that it suggests. It will repay reading more than once." 
 —Athenaum^ 
 
ENGLISH MEN OF lilim~Con^inued 
 
 ENGLISH MEN OF LETTERS.— BURNS. By Principal 
 SHAIRP, ProfcFsor of Poetry in the University of Oxford. 
 " It is impossible to desire fairer criticism than Principal Shairp's 
 
 on Burns's poetry None of the series has given a truer estimate 
 
 either of character or of genius than ihis little volume. . . . and all who 
 read it will be thoroughly grateful to the author for this monument to 
 the genius of Scotland's greatest poet." — Spectator » 
 
 ENGLISH MEN OF LETTERS.- SPENSER. By the Very 
 Rev. the Dean of St. Paul's. 
 
 " Dr. Church is master of his subject, and writes always with good 
 taste. " — Academy. 
 
 ENGLISH MEN OF LETTERS.-THACKERAY. By 
 
 ANTHONY TROLLOPE. 
 
 "Mr. Trollope's sketch is exceedingly adapted to fulfil the purpose 
 of the series in which it appears." — Athencetim. 
 
 ENGLISH MEN OF LETTERS. - BURKE. By John 
 MORLEY. 
 
 " Perhaps the best criticism yet publi.'-hed on the life and character 
 of Burke is contained in Mr. Morley's compendious biography. His 
 style is vigorous and polished, and both his political and personal 
 judgment and his literary criticisms are just, generous, subtle, and in 
 a high degree interesting." — Saturday Review. 
 
 Just ready, 
 
 MILTON. By Mark Pattison. 
 
 In prefaration. 
 
 HAWTHORNE. By Henry James. 
 SOUTHEY. By Professor Dowden. 
 CHAUCER. By Professor Ward. 
 COWPER. By Goldwin Smith. 
 BUNYAN. By J. A. Froude. 
 WORDSWORTH. By F. W. H. Myers. 
 Others in preparation. 
 
 MACMILLAN AND CO., LONDON. 
 
1T3J 10. J13M H81JBH3 
 
 \_ • — -"- ■ ' ■ • - ^ ^ . . • • 
 
 London: 
 
 R. CLAY, SONS, AND TAYLOR, PRINTEKS. 
 BREAD STREET HILL. 
 
 .■OHTWAR 
 
 w 
 
 IA> 
 
s^d^ 
 
14 DAY USE 
 
 RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED 
 
 LOAN DEPT. 
 
 This book is due on the last date stamped below or 
 
 on the date to which renewed. 
 
 Kenewed books are subject to immediate recall 
 
 # 
 
 ^ 
 
 J?! 
 
 5^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 1\ 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^%^'^ 
 
 /^J^ 
 
 ,eP^ 
 
 LD21A-60m-2.'67 
 (H24l8lO)47GB 
 
 General Library 
 
 University of Californi 
 
 Berkeley