Up on the downs the skylarks are not having it all their own way this summer.
I know three catches. One of these my wife knew previously to our marriage.
The other two I have taught to her. These we sing as we walk the hills of Wiltshire.
To the musically untutored there is something peculiarly intoxicating in the sound of their own voices. This characteristic of humanity has caused many good men who live in the vicinity of frequented high roads to blaspheme on their pillows. I am not a good man, but I have blasphemed like the best of them, and for the same reason, while the Lower Orders have been returning home of a Saturday or a Sunday night. I have often wished for a snipping instrument large enough to sever at one operation the vocal chords of all the musically untutored, forgetting that I am one of them. I am glad now that the opportunity was not granted to my impious prayer. For I should have done it, and I should now have been unable
99
