four or five feet high; in the centre it is crowned by tufts of yellow flowers, surrounded with long dark-green feathery leaves, casting a shadow round of several feet broad." "How unlike one's idea of hay!" said Evelyn. "Very unlike it, indeed," returned Mrs. Manvers; "however it is cut and dried in its own country,as hay is here; then laid by on the flat roofs of the houses; and in winter it is found to be an excellent fodder for cows and sheep." "I am sure it cannot look half as pretty as our own nice green fields!" said Evelyn: "besides, do you not think that the natural productions of each country are the best adapted to the soil of that country as well as to the wants of its inhabitants, and that we had better be contented with what we possess?" "Yes, when possessed of fertile fields like yours, Evelyn: but suppose you had a sandy barren tract of land, would you not endeavour, by introducing plants adapted to it, to make it productive? If grain, which you know was not natural to this country, had never been introduced, how very destitute would our population now be! And the potato too! how fortunate that Sir Walter Raleigh was not influenced by that principle, or we should perhaps never have known that useful root here!" "But," replied Evelyn, "I have heard Mr. Stanley and others say that its being brought to Ireland was unfortunate, as it encourages laziness." "That objection is easily made," said Mrs. Manvers, "but I cannot agree to it. I have seen so many instances of the poor man enjoying the comfort of his store of potatoes, when perhaps he could not have managed to cultivate enough of any other crop to support his family, that I shall still rejoice in their possession of that most excellent vegetable. Many rich landlords have endeavoured to add to the comforts of the people by assisting them to build better houses, and to cultivate useful grain, and whenever I hear an instance of such exertion I respect them for it: but for my part I shall always consider Sir Walter Raleigh, the Shepherd of the Ocean,' as Spenser quaintly calls him, to have been one of our benefactors: and the little garden at Youghal, where the first potato VOL. I. 6 I grew in Ireland, seemed to me a sacred spot that should be dear to all my countrymen." "You have been at Youghal, then, and have seen the myrtles of which I have heard?” "Yes, both in the garden and against Sir Walter's ancient house, which is a greater curiosity than the myrtles, for they grow luxuriantly near the sea in various parts of Ireland, or even than the bay-trees at the entrance into the court, where six of them form an archway under which a carriage may pass." "But the house you say is a curiosity?" "Yes-at least to those who have not seen many very old houses. I was astonished at the thickness of the walls, especially the partition wall between the staircase and kitchen, which is nine feet thick. The stairs, too, are remarkably narrow, for the house had in fact been in ancient times part of a friary, and Sir Walter made very few alterations in it. There is, I am told, some remarkable oak carving over the drawing-room fireplace of early date, but unfortunately for me, when I was there, the daughter of the resident possessor was ill, and we could not be admitted beyond the parlour, which is a long low room with three deep windows, nearly the same now, we were told, as when Sir Walter resided there, probably the happiest, at least the most peaceful, part of his life; when far from all the torments and excitements of ambition and rivalry, and before he had become the object of the injustice of party spirit and the malevolence of his enemies." "I must read his history again," said Evelyn. "Then I recommend his Life by Francis," said Mrs. Man vers. "It is excessively interesting, and the character of the times is well depicted I think." "Was not Sir Walter Raleigh too much of a courtier?" said Evelyn. "The impression remains on my mind that he demeaned himself by the sort of adulation he paid to Queen Elizabeth; yielding too implicit a devotion to her will, and forgetful of all self-respect." "So it may appear to us, but it was the fashion then ; it was the remnant of the chivalry of previous ages; the queen exacted it from those around her; and they who were thus devoted received in their turn distinction from her. A young man of his air and noble presence was an ornament to the court, and the vanity of good Queen Bess would of course secure the attention and homage of all such." "But only think of any gentleman laying his cloak in the dirt for her Majesty to trample on! Such meanness!" "Or rather such gallantry, as some people would say. I think you are inclined to judge poor Sir Walter too severely. You do not make sufficient allowance for the manners of the age, or recollect the extreme attention which was considered due to all our sex, and particularly to a queen. You should study the character of Elizabeth-a useful study, whatever station we may fill, for few have possessed and exercised more power over others and less over themselves." Evelyn made no reply. They sat for some time without speaking at length, rising abruptly, she exclaimed hastily— "I see that troublesome steward coming towards us to plague me about workmen; do let us go away ! 66 Yes, if you wish it; but would it not save trouble," said Mrs. Manvers, laughing, "to hear him now, instead of letting him follow you all about the field?" "But I do not want him to speak to me; I want to escape from him. I am sure if he requires any directions I do not know what to say." "Well, then you had better hear him at once, and inform him that you will depend on his knowledge entirely, and will not interfere." "Yes, perhaps so; but I should then be forced to acknowledge my ignorance, and that would diminish my influence." "Not half so much," returned Mrs. Manvers, "as the assumption of knowledge that you have not, and the consequent unreasonable exercise of authority." As they had walked slowly forward the steward by this time had overtaken them, and respectfully requested permission to speak to Evelyn. Very ungraciously she stopped, and looking at him stood impatiently, without speaking, waiting, like the Chinese envoy, for him to begin. "I wish, Miss O'Brien, to inform you that I have procured some additional hands as you directed; but I was forced to promise them extra wages, and I am afraid it will be expensive." "Oh! very well-it is of no consequence; that is my affair!" "I wanted also to ask if you would prefer having the hay brought home at once, when dry, to the farm-yard, or made up in tramp-cock in the fields: Mr. Stanley and Mr. Desmond both recommended drawing it home in the English fashion, if you please, Ma'am." "Certainly, in the English method; of course it is the best." "I have my doubts as to that, Ma'am; and as we have never been accustomed to it ". "It must be so, however, Mr. Mooney," said Evelyn, who always became determined to be obeyed when she saw any hesitation, or any disposition to reason with her. Soon after their return from the hay-field some visitors were announced-Lady Crowsdale and her daughter. The old lady was stately and rather formal, but her countenance was benevolent. The younger was pale, graceful, and rather silent, but whenever she did speak her countenance was brightened by intelligence, and her manner was prepossessing. When taking leave Lady Crowsdale invited Evelyn and Mrs. Manvers to dine and sleep at Ardescar House, instead of paying a formal morning visit. She wished that her young people should make acquaintance with them, and hoped that the little museum which her son had lately brought from Guayana would interest Miss O'Brien, and which she and her young people would be happy to show them. Evelyn was pleased at the idea, and consented, without hesitation, to the day named by Lady Crowsdale. After the departure of the visitors Evelyn went out again, ardent about the proposed alterations in her garden, which she found were in progress, and she was satisfied with what had been done, but sadly disappointed that her new hedge could not be made for several days. The gardener had written to his friend, a nurseryman in a distant county, to send the shrubs immediately. In the cool of the evening he said he would plant the rose-trees, but added that he feared it would be their certain destruction. CHAPTER XXIII. - Deplorable Appearance of the Garden The Sweetbrier Hedge - Her EVELYN's peremptory orders about her garden were not to be disputed, and the gardener executed them with all the care in his power, though grieved at the loss of plants which he knew were sacrificed to childish whim. The weather being remarkably hot and dry, and having been so for some time, there was little hope that what were now removed could escape, as may sometimes happen when a soft refreshing rain comes in time to revive them. The new arrangement of the garden was planned with some taste; but the abundant watering of the evenings was not sufficient to save the plants from drooping in the heat; and when Mrs. Manvers came to look at the alterations, everything appeared so deplorable, that she sighed at the waste of time, plants, and labour, and exclaimed with astonishment at such a sacrifice. Evelyn, however, contented herself with saying she was sure they would recover, and showed very plainly by her manner that she did not wish Mrs. Manvers to interfere with her orders; but the gardener applied to her again about the hedge, with a secret hope that the presence of Mrs. Manvers might produce some change. "I'm thinking, Ma'am," said he, looking at the same time towards Mrs. Manvers, "that the sweetbrierhedge might remain at the back of the new one that is to be; for if I take it up now, I know it is just killing it I'll be; and, besides, it will be some shelter for the new one, which I fear will do badly here, or anywhere indeed in this hot season.' "But I do not like to have so much space occupied by hedges," exclaimed Evelyn, "and I think it much better to remove it at once-as I have already ordered, and then the new one will take its place, and |