The Scouring of the White Horse; Or, The Long Vacation Ramble of a London Clerk

"The Scouring of the White Horse; Or, The Long Vacation Ramble of a London Clerk" by Thomas Hughes, the author of “Tom Brown’s School Days”, is a mid-19th-century story about a London clerk named Richard who takes a vacation to the countryside of Berkshire. Wanting to return to his rural roots and explore local culture and traditions, Richard visits his old friend Joe after receiving his quarterly pay. Invited by Joe to see the “scouring” of the White Horse, Richard anticipates learning about the history and myths of the ancient landmark as he travels. The story opens with him in his office life planning his holiday, and highlights both his character and the customs of the English countryside through his enthusiastic preparations and interactions with friends.