On one side was a basket-like cage containing a magpie, and on the other, a cat lay extended on a bench, dozing in the warmth of the sun.

The blue smoke, curling upwards from a crooked chimney, afforded proof of some one being within.
We therefore opened a little gate, and proceeded through a neat garden, in which flowers and vegetables were intermixed.

It had a gay appearance from the pear, apple, thorn and cherry being all in full bloom.

We were received at the door by a middle-aged woman, with the ruddy glow of health on her cheeks, and dressed in coarse, plain, but remarkably neat and suitable, attire.

As this was a cottage selected at random, and visited without previous intimation of our intention, I took particular notice of every thing I saw, because I regarded its appearance as a fair specimen of its constant and daily state.
Mr.Hopewell needed no introduction.