Ladies’ Edinburgh Magazine > Volume 4

22 The Ladies Edinburgh Magazine.
Ifjcre s!)all ixie 30?
v.—A HAPPY VALLEY.
Scene.—A lawn shadowed hy trees from the afternoon sunshine.
A tea-table stands under a large weeping ash which forms
a dome of green foliage. The company are strolling about,
or seated on garden chairs and lounges.
Marjorie. Can any one here answer a difficult question ?
The Edinburgh ladies want to know where to go. Where
shall we go for our summer holidays ?
Claudia. Don't go anywhere. Have we not here, close to
our native city, hills and trees, flowers and sweet shadows,
tea and all comforts ? You travelled people come back and
boast of the delights you have experienced, the splendours
you have seen. You leave out the reverse of the medal—
dusty railways, extortionate inns; constant anxiety, calcula¬
tion, and trouble; all sorts of discomforts that you would
not put up with for a day at home. Then the contretemps—
miserable weather when you must go out—splendid sunshine
when you are packed in a train—dirt and bad tobacco;
wretched crowds making each other more wretched on board
filthy steamers tossing on dismal seas—
Marjorie. Stop. That is not to the purpose. We must
and shall go somewhere. Please speak to the question;
criticise suggestions, if you like, but consider the first point
carried. We are going—whither ?
Claudia. Then, while one makes a suggestion, let the
rest of us form a committee, and cross-examine the witness.
All will not prove so coideur-de-rose as it is painted, I sus¬
pect, in that case.
Chorus. Agreed; and Claudia shall be chairwoman.
Claudia (taking the easiest garden chair). I now put the
question to this company: Where shall we go ?
Chorus. Go to Italy—to Norway—to the Pyrenees—I
know a delightful place—to Labrador—to Iceland—to Egypt
—to Argyleshire, etc.
Marina. For real refreshment of body and mind, I should
recommend Etretat; or, indeed, any of the best sea-bathing
places on the Norman or Breton coast; but I mention
Etretat as typical. Fine bold coast scenery; a pure, green
sea rolling in upon a pebbly shore, so that the water is as
clear and transparent where it breaks on the land as out
in mid-ocean; a sweet climate, and most beautiful sunsets
over the western sea, when all the ivory cliffs turn crimson