(_BY AN IMPRESSIONIST._)
Certainly, I can foresee my adventures. I can tell of my march over
the heather, of my delight as the breezy air sweeps over the moors,
and helps to bronze my already sunburnt face!
I can fancy the chatter of the keeper as he holds my second gun, and
pays me that attention which can only be wiped off by tips! I can hear
the sound of the first shot, and decipher the meaning of the initial
puff of smoke!
I can see the shadows disappearing as lunchtime comes to hand. I can
recognise the cart with its goodly contents, and the girls who will
sit beside us as we discuss our modest pies (hot and savoury,) and
quaff our '84. And then I can hear the retreating footsteps as the
darlings trip away, leaving us to resume our chase after the birds.
And then the shadows will grow longer, and the sun will set behind
the hills in a mass of purple, red, and gold; and it will be time for
us to turn our faces towards the shooting-box that will shelter us
through the long watches of the summer's night.
And lastly I can see the final halt at the poulterer's, as we purchase
the grouse to fill our bags before the journeying home.
* * * * *
A GEOGRAPHICAL THEORY.--"Where _is_ Liberia?" inquired one cultured
person of another, _à propos_ of Mrs. RICKS's interview with the
QUEEN. "I'm sure _I_ don't know," was the answer, "but--judging by the
name--I should think it was _exactly opposite_ to Siberia."
* * * * *
[Illustration: WILLIAM THE WHEELMAN.
"'I CAN ONLY EMPHASISE THE FACT THAT I CONSIDER THAT PHYSICALLY,
MORALLY, AND SOCIALLY, THE BENEFITS THAT CYCLING CONFERS ON THE MEN
OF THE PRESENT DAY ARE ALMOST UNBOUNDED.' (_Aside._) _WISH I WERE ON
A 'SAFETY'!!_"]
* * * * *