Among The Hills.

AMONG THE HILLS .

BY A WANDERER . IT is wonderful to think , if not somewhat humiliating to realize , what creatures of habit ancl circumstance we all are , ancl how our normal life becomes to us a "second nature , " which we pursue placidly ancl contentedly through many changing years . Some of us who pass a lifetime among the

streets ancl offices of our "little village , " who become accustomed to its scenes and its noise , its throng of hurrying mortals , its huge accumulation of "brick and mortar , " its heat , its noise—yes , ancl its " evil odours , " are sometimes apt to smile at the enthusiasm , or doubt the statements of those who speak in rapture and emotion of the " everlasting hills . " The utmost such veritable " cockneys " ever aspire to or believe in is to be found in Brighton or Margate

, Richmond or Heme Bay . Greenwich and Epping Forest come in , as well as Hampton Court , for a general share of their admiration of a "country outing . " Perhaps a neat little "box" in Bedfordshire or among the Surrey hills , ' a farm in Buckinghamshire or Sussex , seem to such the "highest heig ht" of pleasure ancl change to which they can hope to aspire . But to suppose , for one moment , that they are forced to live " among the

hills "—to denude themselves of those comforts to which they have been so long habituated , to have to do with steep ascents , terrific descents , with shortness of breath , and weariness of legs—a lightning storm among the mountains , the bad roads and uncomfortable conveyance of some remote and rustic inn , is indeed to all such a subject of alarm aud antagonism , of dread and of dislike . And yet , when once " among the hills , " how marvellous is the change , how stupendous the charm ! No longer breathing the tainted atmosphere of pent-up citiesno

, more the victims of slow or rapid locomotion , crowded omnibus , or reckless hansom ; for them the penny steamboat has no more attractions , the unhol y " growler " indecent accommodation . They are away from the crowds of Fleet Street , the uproar of Ludgate Hill , the fashionable assemblage of Rotten Row , the tumult of countless or all but impassable thoroughfares . We are " among the hills "—we are in one of great nature ' s amphitheatres—ancl everything around us

, breathes of calmness and gracefulness , grandeur ancl repose , aud points to all that is wonderful and charming , all that is elevating and subduing , which those who have eyes to discern ancl hearts to master can ever find for themselves under that bright ancl glorious "regime " which the beneficent creator of us all , T . G . A . O . T . U ., has in store ever for humble students and faithful searchers .

We are " among the hills " ! Everything around is for us fresh and fair , new and startling . We look up to those towering ancl massive precipices which lower above us li ke castled heights iu solemn stateliness or striking contour . We watch the mists , or the scudding clouds , or we admire the gleaming foliage ancl the browsing sheep ; we scent the pleasant heather , we feel that " country feel , " so searching , so pleasant , and so real . What a happy change for us !

What a good thing for us all . The geologist can pursue his interesting studies with ardour ancl energy . The mineralogist can pick up countless specimens to adorn his well-filled cabinet . The painter can find many a subject for his fertile pencil ; the musing student can turn over the pages of his favourite book with double "gusto . " With a knapsack on backand old Tray at side can trud

your , your , you ge on happy and contented , finding your abode for the ni ght at some village hostelry , pursuing your journey "with earl y dawn , inhaling the scented air of the hills and listening to the musical echoes of the hillside rills . T