The clear sunshine from an early hour this morning was a surprise after the dull, misty atmosphere on Sunday, but must have been very welcome to those who are now busy with their corn harvest. In travelling through South Lancashire on Saturday I found in many places the oats were being cut, and in some cases they were already in stook. The crop is in most districts a very heavy one, and as in few instances is it laid the reaper and binder will do its work quickly and well, and should the weather continue favourable the crop will be cheaply got. There were some fields of wheat on those fine farms between Warrington and Liverpool that will be ready to cut before many days are over. In travelling on through the Wirral I found the grain crops even more forward than in Lancashire. Everywhere they seemed heavy and in perfect condition, and under the genial sunshine (for no rain fell in that part of the country on Saturday) the fields of golden wheat gave quite a rich autumnal tone to the landscape.

The heavy mists we have had have brought down some of the riper leaves on the elms and limes, and our garden walks and lawns are strewn with their first fall of russet and yellow leaves. When I first looked across the lawn this morning it was evident that the sun had shone on it for some hours, for a family party of fly-catchers were very busy. The old birds were working hard and attending partly to the wants of the fledglings perched on the tennis net, but the young ones were darting about on their own account occasionally in graceful evolutions, and I hope this little crowd may remain with us for a time to help in the destruction of the midges, which are, with the warmer temperature, again a pest.