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and subservient to the powers and processes of nature. We
will now take a view of the same agency - acting, within
narrower bounds, for the production of the few works of art
and accommodations of life which, in so simple a state of
society, could be necessary. These are merely habitations of
man and coverts for beasts, roads and bridges, and places of
worship.
And to begin with the COTTAGES. They are scattered over the
vallies, and under the hill sides, and on the rocks; and,
even to this day, in the more retired dales, without any
intrusion of more assuming buildings;
Cluster'd likes stars some few, but single most,
And lurking dimly in their shy retreats,
Or glancing on each other cheerful looks,
Like separated stars with clouds between.
MS.
The dwelling-houses, and contiguous out-buildings, are, in
many instances, of the colour of the native rock, out of
which they have been built; but, frequently the Dwelling or
Fire-house, as it is ordinarily called, has been
distinguished from the barn or byer by rough-cast and white
wash, which, as the inhabitants are not hasty in renewing
it, in a few years acquires, by the influence of weather, a
tint at once sober and variegated. As these houses have
been, from father to son, inhabited by persons engaged in
the same occupations, yet necessarily with changes in their
circumstances, they have received without incongru-
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