THE RUSTIC BRIDGE
These wooden bridges are often very pretty objects in the country, especially if situated as this is, between high banks, over a clear stream, and shaded by trees and herbage. If you ask why the bridge was made so high, I can tell you, first, that I dare say it is level with the path on each side, and then again you should remember that in winter time, after heavy rains or a thaw, the water will rise perhaps up to the bridge itself, and sometimes in great floods the bridges are carried away. They are often chosen by anglers for fishing stations, and often to afford a resting-place to the weary traveller.
And now, my good gentleman, what do you think?
You are standing too high, sir, to wash or to drink:
I hope you’re not leaning too hard on the rail,
For down you would go, sir, if that were to fail.
Perhaps you are waiting a neighbour to meet,
Perhaps you are resting your limbs or your feet,
Perhaps ’tis your pleasure at ease to recline:
And perhaps, as you say, ‘tis no business of mine.
He pleasantly meditates there, it should seem,
On the trees, or the rushes, the fish, or the stream;
I trust he’s not lazy, nor sleeps at the place:
It would be well to souse him, if that were the case.
THE DAIRY
This is an important apartment in a farm-house, where there is much grass land, and there are many cows. Milk, cream, and butter, are three articles of great esteem amongst us; but none of these would be good if the land, the cows, or the dairy were neglected or mismanaged. It is not every servant-girl that will make a good dairy-maid. She must be industrious and rise early; she must keep herself, her dairy, and her dishes delicately clean; and she must be strictly honest, or her mistress will suffer loss.
So there you are, Sally! just filling your dishes,
And fulfilling also your mistress’s wishes,
She may not indeed be observing just now,
But there is one sees you, and that is the cow.
Your pans are quite clean, and the place is quite airy,
As should be the case in an excellent dairy.
To-morrow perhaps you will churn, will you not?
Your churn is a good one, and close on the spot.
Take care of that dish on its edge, if you’re able,
I fear it will slip from the leg of the table!
And now will you give me some cream for my tea?
O no, for the cream is not Sally’s, you see.
So Sally is honest, hard-working, and clean,
She is a nice milk-maid as ever was seen;
She is good-tempered, too, I see by her face,
And she must be happy, as that is the case.