Page:An Old English Home and Its Dependencies.djvu/287

Rh is going to take is when he begins to fell the stately trees that have been growing in his park about his estate for over a hundred years. I will quote a scene from Coleman's capital comedy of The Poor Gentleman, which held up to detestation a man very common in that age. "An apartment in house. at breakfast; his valet de chambre adjusting his hair. "Sir Chas. What day of the month was it yesterday, when I left town? "Valet. The first of April, Sir Charles. "Sir Chas. Umph! When Mr. Warner (the steward) comes, show him in.

"Valet. I shall, Sir Charles. "Sir Chas. This same lumbering timber upon my ground has its merits. Trees are notes issued from the bank of Nature, and as current as those payable to Abraham Newland. I must get change for a few oaks, for I want cash consumedly. So, Mr. Warner.

Enter. "Warner. Your honour is right welcome into Kent. I am proud to see Sir Charles Cropland on his estate again. I hope you mean to stay on the spot for some time, Sir Charles? "Sir Chas. A very tedious time. Three days, Mr. Warner. "Warner. Ah, good sir! I wish you lived entirely upon the estate, Sir Charles.