On this page
-
Text (1)
-
382 OTJB '. ¦ FOUNTAIN.. '
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Notwithstanding A Strong Prejudice In Fa...
forbearing * than tlie bronze-faced , long-bearded old peasant who accompanies him to drink every morning *; - —I say " accompanies , "
for he will neither be driven nor led , he will only deign to follow overhang Ms master ing at branch his own now pace stopp , now ing- lingerin short ; and g to pretending nibble off he some will
, not come at all , till , apparently overcome by the old peasant ' s pathetic upbraidingshe makes a sudden rush forward and arrives at
, the Piazza long before him ; then he usually takes an independent walk all round it , sedulously turning his back on the fountain , and
affecting to wonder why his master is lingering under the acaciatrees . At last , when two or three meek donkeys are all busy
drinking at the same time , leaving no space in the trough for another head , he suddenly comes forward , with wickedly depressed
ears and angry snorts pushes the unoffending donkeys violently stop aside drinking , plunges his again nose ; in then the draw water s , it and out drinks with as a j if erk he would coolly wi never pes
, It , all dripping * as it is , on his placid master ' s legs , and forthwith returns home at full trotevidently taking * a malicious pleasure in
, keeping the old man at a brisk run hj his side . I once made some remarks on the mule's obstinacy to his master , who answered with
a good-natured smile , " Of a truth he . ' has his little fancies , but he is an honest hardworking * creature in his own wayand I feel it
, very easy to humor them . " I wish some of our English horsekeepers had more of this patient philosophy !
Very different from the capricious , erratic mule , in their slow methodical movements and dignified bearingare the handsome
, oxen who now advance with stately measured pace towards the fountain . A cord is twisted round their horns , which is held by a
slight young girl who precedes rather than leads them , and guides them entirely by her voice . They are beautiful creaturesof a
, spotless creamy white , with large dark eyes , wild and soft as a gazelle ' s—no marvel even Juno herself was pleased to be called
" the ox-eyed . " They are docile and tractable with those they know , but shy with strangerssteadily resisting all my advances towards
farther intimacy , backing , and looking inclined to butt whenever I approach them . Their young guide is much mortified at their lack
of courtesy , and makes excuses for them as though they were Ibashful , unreasonable children . I hear her still gently remonstrating
with them on their folly as they slowly ascend the hill homewards . Oxen are much used in this part of the world , both for ploughing
and drawing carts filled with agricultural produce . Soon after they have gonea group of peasant women appear
with baskets poised on their heads , , wending their way to the market , at Ponte a Serraglio . Many of them have come from villages far
off among the mountains , down curiously steep staircase-like paths : they must have been up and stirring long before sunrise . Putting
down their heavy loads , they stop to rest awhile by the fountain , and
to freshen up the contents of their baskets ; they re-moisten the thick
382 Otjb '. ¦ Fountain.. '
382 OTJB ' . ¦ FOUNTAIN ..
-
-
Citation
-
English Woman’s Journal (1858-1864), Aug. 1, 1862, page 382, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ewj/issues/ewj_01081862/page/22/
-