The Rural Life of England

"The Rural Life of England" by William Howitt is a historical record of English country living from the 1800s. The book is all about different parts of rural life in England, looking at the lives of people from different social classes, but especially the upper class and farming families. Howitt really wants to show how beautiful and good the English countryside is, and how great it is to live there. Right away, the book tells of the author's love for England, showing how living in the country can be good for your mind, body, and spirit. Howitt gives credit to his parents, stating they helped him learn to love nature. The first parts of the book make a strong case that English rural life is the best, talking about fancy houses, lives made better by art and books, and lots of pretty nature and well-kept land enjoyed by rich landowners and farmers. The author uses descriptive language to paint a perfect picture of what it's like to live in the countryside, something that would appeal to both people who live there and people visiting.