We but glance at this great feature, that fed so fat our Utopia, leaving
to imagination the return, the trade, the feasting and the fiddle when
lusty legs embossed by "quills" or beads kept up the dance.
The outcome of the "Plain Hunt" was not only a wide spread plenty among
the Hunters on reaching the quiet farmer folk upon the rivers, but also
the diffusion of a sunshine, a tone of generous serenity that sat well
on the chivalry of the chase--the bold riders of the Plain.
THE SUMMER PRAIRIES
Beneficent nature nowhere makes her compensations more gratefully felt
than in the summer season of our Utopia of the north, where the purest
and most vivifying of atmospheres hues with a wealth of sunshine the
great reaching spaces of verdure covered with flowers in a profusion
rivaling their exquisite beauty. Green waving copses dot the level
sward, and rob the sky line of its sea-like sweep. The winding rivers,
signalled by their wooded banks, upon which rest the comfortable homes
of the dwellers in the "hidden land" guarding their little fields close
by where the ranked grain standing awaits the sickle, turning from green
to gold and so unhurried resting. The shining cattle couched outside in
ruminant content or cropping lazily the succulent feast spread wide
before them; the horses wary of approach, just seen in compact bands
upon the verge; the patriarchal windmills--at wide spaces--signalling to
each other their peaceful task; the little groups of horsemen coming
adown the winding road, or stopping to greet some good wife and her
gossip--going abroad in a high-railed cart in quest of trade, or
friendly call.
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