Midsummer Eve; A Fairy Tale of Loving and Being Loved (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1870 Excerpt: ...the picturesque bridge at Chelsea--where the trees that have been 'venerable' for more than half a century, shadow ' Chf.tne Walk ' and its numberless associations of the olden time. ITere, by the help of a stout crutch, he used to halt along beneath the shade of lime-trees, that lent a pleasing shelter and a delicious fragrance to the little damp plot of ground he was pleased to call his garden; it was pleasant to see how he had turned his sword into a pruning knife, and trimmed the beautiful jasmine that would tangle over the windows, and amusing to hear him express displeasure at the invasion of his neighbours' chickens, who would step out of the ranks, and pick up his seeds; and above all, it delighted Sidney to hear the praises of Eva's father and his own father--the praises of the Raymond and the Talbot mingled. There are few things so gratifying to age as the attention paid by youth to their 'thrice-told tales;' sympathy evinced by the young in the few amusements of the old, is certain to double the remaining pulsations of life within their rigid veins; it is the most delightful revival of their own early days--it brings back the hilarity and cheerfulness of bygone times without their attendant bitterness--for every personal pleasure has its pain And many a twilight hour did the young man gratify the maimed officer by listening to his stories of past repulse and victory. He was a charming study in every respect for the young painter: there was a breezy freshness in his voice--an intelligent sparkle in his eyes--a firm ness on his lips--a dignity in his broad and lofty brow--a spirit-moving energy in his thoughts, given with so much genuine kindness, as if they were mounting guard over his young friend; and, while they feared urging him forward too m...