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 CHAPTER III

A gipsy encampment—A puzzling matter—Farming and farmers, past and present—An ancient market-town—A picturesque bit of old-world architecture—Gleaners—Time's changes—A house in two counties—A wayside inn—The commercial value of the picturesque     41

CHAPTER IV

Biggleswade—"Instituted" or "intruded"!—A poetical will—The river Ivel—A day to be remembered—The art of seeing — Misquotations—The striving after beauty—Stories in stone—An ancient muniment chest—An angler's haunt—The town bridge—The pronunciation of names—St. Neots     58

CHAPTER V

The charm of small towns—The Ouse—A pleasant land—Buckden Palace—A joke in stone—The birthplace of Samuel Pepys—Buried treasure—Huntingdon—An old-time interior—A famous coaching inn—St. Ives—A church steeple blown down!—A quaint and ancient bridge—A riverside ramble—Cowper's country—Two narrow escapes     73

CHAPTER VI

Cromwell's birthplace—Records of the past—Early photographs—A breezy day—Home-brewed ale—Americans on English scenery—Alconbury Hill—The plains of Cambridgeshire—The silence of Nature—Stilton—A decayed coaching town—A medieval hostelry—A big sign-board—Old-world traditions—Miles from anywhere     97