1 FEBRUARY 1946, Page 11

PASTORAL

BEDALES — SUMMER 1945

THIS is the green country of peace of mind ; of gentle curving hills and shining water, of great firm-rooted oaks and shimmering birches, of wide cross-country roads, and paths that wind, of glorious sun and soft, swift-soaking rains. This is the land of great fertility.

This is the place where little furrowed fields ripple up to a breakwater of hedge ; where static cows and querulous woolly sheep spend their days in a grassy paradise, or great brown oaken horses heave a plough up and down the earthy acreages.

Here is an ancient friendly village inn, a little chapel, and a great grey church, surrounded by the mellow cottages. Here a memorial to those killed in wars, strewn with dusty and long-withered wreaths. Here is the asphalt yard of the village school.

Here in the spring are clusters of pale primroses. The evenings are cool and the days are long and clear. Later the white May scatters its scented stars, like bridal confetti, on the young spring grass. Here the squat red pillar-boxes grin, brightening the little stony roads.

This is the place for long and lovely walks, along the cart-tracks and in the leafy woods.

This is the place for quiet, reasoned thought, standing on this hill, by the Poet's stone, and looking across to the distant blue-green downs.

to the slender spires and the little patch-work fields.

This is the green country of peace of mind. This is the land of great fertility.

JUDYTH MONNICKENDAM