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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