[190]
lively idea of the operations of a hive of bees in the busy hours of spring, as described by Virgil:
"Qualis apes aestate nova per florea rura
Exercet sub sole labor, cum gentis adultos
Educunt Faetus; aut cum liquentia mella
Stipant, & dulci distendunt nectare cellas,
Aut onera accipiunt veniendum agmine facto,
Ignavum fucos pecus a praesepibus arcent;
Fervet opus."
All is animated industry; iron-works and coal-pits on each side the road, and thickly peopled villages all around. This scene continued to Rotherham, a town situated at the point where the river Rother falls into the Don; and contains (according to the last returns made in consequence of Mr. Abbot's Bill) 1448 males, and 1622 females. It has a great market for fat cattle and sheep, held there every fortnight; from which the populous country of Manchester and its neighbourhood derive a considerable part of their supplies. The soil about Rotherham is of different sorts; partly being what is termed by the farmers red-land, (which is a light earth mixed with the sand of the red freestone of the country) and partly land of a stronger and heavier quality; most of it well adapted for the growth of corn, and in a high state of cultivation. The under strata, after passing through the stone, abound with iron and coal. Of the lat-
