The happy villagers / Embellished with an engraving

EMBELLISHED WITH AN ENGRAVING.
DUBLIN: PRINTED BY J. SHEA, Childrens’ Book Ware-house , 42, COLLEGE-GREEN.
1807.
MR. JACKSON had been an eminent tradesman in the city of Dublin, where he by trade acquired an independent fortune, and was now retired into the country, to spend the remainder of his days amidst rural retreats, to enjoy the pleasure of rambling through woods and groves, by the side of purling and meandering streams, while the harmony of the feathered songsters would charm the ear, and lull the busy mind into the most tranquil repose.
The retreat Mr. Jackson had chosen was situated in the county of Wicklow, and near to the place where he drew his first breath. His house was a well designed mean between the vast piles raised for magnificence, and the smaller ones in which convenience alone is considered. The walk from the back of the house led through a wood, by the side of a delightful stream, which meandered over grass from out of a deep hollow. A gush of water which fell into it, gurgled through a rocky cavity; and in front you looked down on a fine lawn, terminated with a noble bank of hanging woods.
He would frequently ramble to a great distance from home, to survey the beauties of the surrounding country. He had already visited every neighbouring village, and therefore one day strayed further than usual in pursuit of new objects. On a sudden he discovered a delightful valley, the appearance of which seemed to correspond with every thing descriptive of a rural scene.
It was surrounded on all sides by hills, at the feet of which were thickly scattered cottages, groves and gardens, which seemed to be the abode of rural happiness. The silence of the scene was broken only by the dashings of a torrent, which, rushing from an eminence, precipitated bellowing into a cavern beneath. Having there vented its rage in foam, it then divided into a multitude of little rills, and forming serpentine sweeps, refreshed the meadows and surrounding gardens with its friendly streams.