PREFACE.
The following notes contain, in a journal form, the simple
record of those little events which make up the course
of the seasons in rural life, and were commenced two years
since, in the spring of 1848, for the writer's amusement.
In wandering about the fields, during a long, unbroken
residence in the country, one naturally gleans many
trifling observations on rustic matters, which are afterward
remembered with pleasure by the fire-side, and gladly
shared, perhaps, with one's friends. The following pages,
therefore, are offered to the reader more from the interest
of the subject, than from any merit of their own. They
make no claim whatever to scientific knowledge, but it is
hoped that they will be found free from great inaccuracies;
and we may add, that they were written at least
in perfect good faith, all the trifling incidents alluded to
having occurred as they are recorded.
Should the volume give pleasure to any who, like the
