k　into　lowest　depths　of　querulous　self…pity；　grovelling　there　with　eyes　obstinately　averted　from　the　light　above？

VIII

The　early　ing　of　spring　in　this　happy　Devon　gladdens　my　heart。　I　think　with　chill　disfort　of　those　parts　of　England　where　the　primrose　shivers　beneath　a　sky　of　threat　rather　than　of　solace。　Honest　winter；　snow…clad　and　with　the　frosted　beard；　I　can　wele　not　uncordially；　but　that　long　deferment　of　the　calendar's　promise；　that　weeping　gloom　of　March　and　April；　that　bitter　blast　outraging　the　honour　of　May……how　often　has　it　robbed　me　of　heart　and　hope。　Here；　scarce　have　I　assured　myself　that　the　last　leaf　has　fallen；　scarce　have　I　watched　the　glistening　of　hoar…frost　upon　the　evergreens；　when　a　breath　from　the　west　thrills　me　with　anticipation　of　bud　and　bloom。　Even　under　this　grey…billowing　sky；　which　tells　that　February　is　still　in　rule：…

Mild　winds　shake　the　elder　brake；　And　the　wandering　herdsmen　know　That　the　whitethorn　soon　will　blow。

I　have　been　thinking　of　those　early　years　of　mine　in　London；　when　the　seasons　passed　over　me　unobserved；　when　I　seldom　turned　a　glance　towards　the　heavens；　and　felt　no　hardship　in　the　imprisonment　of　boundless　streets。　It　is　strange　now　to　remember　that　for　some　six　or　seven　years　I　never　looked　upon　a　meadow；　never　travelled　even　so　far　as　to　the　tree…bordered　suburbs。　I　was　battling　for　dear　life；　on　most　days　I　could　not　feel　certain　that　in　a　week's　time　I　should　have　food　and　shelter。　It　would　happen；　to　be　sure；　that　in　hot　noons　of　August　my　thoughts　wandered　to　the　sea；　but　so　impossible　was　the　gratification　of　such　desire　that　it　never　greatly　troubled　me。　At　times；　indeed；　I　seem　all　but　to　have　forgotten　that　people　went　away　for　holiday。　In　those　poor　parts　of　the　town　where　I　dw