Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1863 edition. Excerpt: ... season foe visiting the valley. The time when the scenery of this valley is seen to the greatest advantage is, from the middle of August till about the middle of October; at that season of the year there is a fine proportion of natural harmony in colour through the whole scale of objects;--in the tender green of the aftergrass upon the meadows; in the masses of grey or mossy rock, crowned by shrubs and trees; in the small irregular patches of standing corn, or stubble fields; in the hill sides glowing with fern of divers hues; in the calm and bright reaches of the river; and in the foliage of the trees, through all the tints of autumn--from the pale and brilliant yellow of the birch and ash, to the deep green of the unfaded oak and alder, and the ivy upon the trees and rocks. The nest best time is probably in the latter part of May and the month of June, as then the days are long and the weather generally fine; and there is a novelty in seeing the country put on its summer dress. The native trees(are scarcely in full leaf, but the want of depth of shade is compensated by the diversity of foliage, --in the blossoms of the fruit and berry bearing trees, which abound in the woods; in the golden flowers of the broom, which is found in many of the copses and gills. In the woods also, such as Ravensgill, Guy's-cliffe, and i others, with a northern aspect, and in the deep dells, many of the spring flowers still linger, while the more open and sunny places are stocked with the flowers of approaching summer. And over all, there is the pleasure of listening to the music of the thrushes and linnets, chanting their songs in the copses, woods, and hedgerows; and the larks thrilling theirs in the bright blue air above, "O'er fell and fountain sheen, ...
