THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES W. II . UK IC'iXAN A JOURNEY THROUGH ENGLAND IN 1752. [Fifty copies only printed.] NARRATIVE OF THE JOURNEY OF AN IRISH GENTLEMAN THROUGH ENGLAND IN THE YEAR 1752. EDITED FROM A CONTEMPORARY MANUSCRIPT, WITH A FEW ILLUSTRATIVE NOTES. LONDON: PRINTED AT THE CHISWICK PRESS. 1869. PREFACE. 'N the following pages are given the contents of a MS. volume which came into my pofTeflion a mort time ago. It is an anonymous narrative of the journey of an Irifh gentleman through England in the year 1752. From its familiar and unpretentious ftyle, and from a certain difregard of the moft ordinary rules of fyntax, it feems unlikely that it was written with a view to publication ; indeed, at p. 54 the author difclaims any fuch intention ; nor after the moft diligent inquiry can I find that it has ever before appeared in print. On looking through it, I thought that I had feldom read anything fo curious for notices of travelling in England at that period, or fo full of curious popular matter and defcriptions of lo- vi Preface. calities, efpecially interefting at this diftance of time, and it appeared to me that, flender as its pretenfions to literary merit might be, it was not unworthy of being preferved in type, if only to the extent of a few copies for private circulation. It is eafy to perceive that the writer was a gentleman who entertained a not unfavourable opinion of his own capacity, merits, and appear- ance ; but perhaps this very egotifm may be thought to give a value to his book which it would otherwife have wanted. The characteriftic little touches which peep out at almoft every turn, and the ftrong perfonal colouring imparted to the defcriptions, conftitute indeed the principal charm and intereft in works of the prefent kind. The little volume has quite a Bofwellian vein of coxcombry running through it from beginning to end. It has been found neceflary to amend the punc- tuation throughout, and even to remedy, to a certain extent, the confufion of moods, tenfes, and cafes into which the writer or copyift has fallen ; but at the fame time no undue liberties Preface. vii have been taken with the text, which (with the exceptions indicated) has been printed exactly as it ftands in the original, infomuch that in federal places forms of expreflion which are obfolete, and even ungrammatical, have been left intact. My thanks are due to my friend Mr. W. Carew Hazlitt, of Kenfington, for his afliftance in preparing the volume for the prefs, as well as for fome interefting notes which he has added to it. HENRY HUTH. 30, Prince's Gate, January, 1869. DEDICATION. MADAM, iNE line from your fair hand is more perfuafive with me than twenty vo- lumes from another ; and if I have neglected fulfilling my promife fo long, be af- fured it was not out of a principle of feeming refractory to your entreaties, but the fcruple I made of fubmitting to your cenfure the few irre- gular notes of two or three months : however, I rather choofe to betray my ill judgement than forfeit your favour, which your repeated letters denounce on my refufal. I fend you very little more than the bare occurrences on the fpot when I took them, and what indigefted thoughts proceeded from them your own genius and good nature will endeavour to make up and collect their meaning, which my capacity will not permit me to do in as ample B 2 Dedication. a manner as your's may require ; I can boaft of nothing except the bare (ketch or outlines, which want fuch an artift as you to fill up ; therefore if you are wearied with its infipidity, I infill that you attribute it to your own curiofity, that will not be fatisfied except you know every individual, however trivial. But now, fince I mentioned curiofity, you may fufpect that I arraign as particular in you what is common to the fex, on which, if I have made any remarks that may feem too fatyrical, the in- tent which I aimed it for will in fome manner excufe me, becaufe it proceeded from a defign of reforming what I think is moft unbecoming in the moft beautiful of the creation. What perfon of the leaft perfpicuity can fit in a woman's company who affects the refined part of coquetry without noticing it ; and what a dif- taftefull opinion muft it not produce ; and I am apt to believe it creates as much or more con- tempt in a woman of fenfe as in a man, who, by a barbarous cuftom, is obliged feemingly to ap- prove with his lips what his heart thoroughly contemns. The lady mentioned in the latter part of my tour will difcover that part of the fpecies which I entirely except againft ; and this is the point Dedication. 3 alone in which I will feem difobedient, for I will not inform you whether it is a real or a fictitious character. As to my own country-girls, I will be bold enough to make free with them, and plainly fay any thing without referve ; I (hall not endeavour to apologize if I fomewhere faid they are more given to affectation than thofe with whom I com- pared them, as I think I need not be amamed of the comparifon. I read fomewhere that " Affec- tation is as great an enemy to a pretty face as the fmall-pox ;" but the misfortune of this evil is, it can feldom conceal itfelf for fo long a time as to reap an advantage, but breaks out in fo ungo- vernable a manner as makes any other quality difagreeable, however good. I know not by what infatuation that moft of our country women who have been abroad, com- monly return home with variety of odd pronun - ciations, particular geftures, and new fafhions, (perhaps never known in any part of the world, but the production of their own fertile brain, which they impofe upon our credulity as the top of the mode), joined with a contempt of any thing that does not favour of the foreign, and of confequence a general diflike to any of our do- meftic commodities; a new plaited cap and tucker, 4 Dedication. a reclining of the head, and introducing a new country-dance, attract the attention more than the more material part ; an uncommon familiarity or impudence, with a peculiar accent, compofes the well-bred woman. I have remarked more than once, to have feen one of thefe fafhionable ladies make three court- feys (to fome acquaintance who juft entered the front gallery) in repeating the Creed, when the common ufage of the ceremony required but one ; fo unreafonably polite are they to make double the reverence to an acquaintance that they pay to the Divinity. But what yet gives me much greater concern is to fee them imitated in their impertinences by children of not above eight years old, who never fail of making a better progrefs in it than they do in their Catechifm : the maturer part of our ladies do not fo evi- dently betray their thirft of it as the inexperience of the young creatures; but whether it would not be a nobler emulation for them to imitate examples that would improve the mind, and con- duce to a more lafting and folid happinefs than is to be expected from trifles, is a point, if any of the practitioners themfelves are aiked in a ferious manner, will allow of. I am quite charmed with a paper in the Spectator, who fpeaks with fuch Dedication. 5 a fpirit as nothing but the juft contempt of thefe inconfiftencies could infpire, and concludes it thus : " And I define my fair readers to give a proper direction to their paflion for being ad- mired : in order to which they muft endeavour to make themfelves the objects of a reafonable and lading admiration. This is not to be hoped for from beauty, or drefs, or fafhion, but from thofe inward ornaments which are not to be de- faced by time or ficknefs, and which appear moft amiable to thofe who are moft acquainted with them." How expreflive is the laft fentence, and what a beautiful idea does it convey of the inward orna- ments : they continually difcover fome new per- fection, and increafe our efteem for the pofleflbr ; whereas the more we are acquainted with perfons of the other caft, our efteem gradually lefiens, and they betray every day fome latent imperfection. Beauty may pleafe for a while, but to put it in competition with the nobler faculties of the foul would do injuftice to the promoters of permanent happinefs ; how often have I juftly feen you admire Juba's fpeech in Cato, where he prefers the inward beauties before the external charms. " Beauty foon grows familiar to the lover, Fades in his eye, and palls upon the fenfe ; 6 Dedication. True flic is fair (oh, how divinely fair), But ftill the lovely maid improves her charms, With inward greatnefs, unaffefted wifdom, And fan&ity of manners." I have known many inftances of an ugly woman being made agreeable by affability and good-fenfe, but never knew beauty to make an entire conqueft without fome other afliftance ; indeed, it may make the firft impreflion, but good-fenfe raifes the pile, and modefty covers it. You have often urged me to give my fenti- ments of what I thought would render a woman agreeable in a married ftate, of which I believe there are but few but think lefs or more about it ; and as this is the end for which they purpofe them- felves, I think the time but fhort enough to pre- pare for it, let it be never fo long ; and they may take my word they will find it difficult to lay afide any of the airs they have learned young, and the lofs will fit heavy if ever they attempt it ; whereas a total ignorance of them will caufe them not to regret what they were unacquainted with, and make them feek enjoyments not to be met with in the giddy world. I mail now draw this to a period, and only obferve, you muft not be fcrupuloufly nice in any of my expreflions : I know they will not bear Dedication. 7 the leaft criticifm, as your impatience did not even allow me time to fettle its order ; in return of this my obedience I expect you'll favour me with fome of your productions, fome of which I have already read with the greateft pleafure, and any other which you may hereafter fend me mail doubly engage the attention of, Madam, Your moft obedient, and moft humble fervant. JOURNEY THROUGH ENGLAND IN THE YEAR 1752. JET fail from Dublin on board the Hibernia, John Morton commander, the eighth day of May, at three o'clock in the afternoon, with a fair wind ; the fea to me who was a ftranger, methought it looked exceeding calm. I was enlivened the more as another vefTel fet fail the fame tide, and we continued in company fome time, but had foon the mortification to fee them moot a head ; neverthelefs we ftood out with a fair wind, and at three o'clock next morning (which was Satur- day), got fight of Holy head, and purfued our voyage in fight of Wales. In the evening the wind mifted, and we were obliged to caft anchor, to wait for the tide, which anfwered the next morning (Sunday) about two o'clock, when we weighed anchor and went by the influence of the tide till we came within three leagues of Liverpool, I o Becalmed off L her pod. which being fpent, we were obliged to the fame difagreeable work as we had the preceding day ; I am induced to think that this muft be almoft the moft difagreeable part of failing, as we are commonly anxious to arrive at our defired port. We were obliged to lie here, having no wind to ftem the tide, but had the pleating prof- pect of Wales, which, though fomething moun- tainous, is as extremely pleafant to one who thought he mould never be foon enough at it. I took this opportunity to refrefh myfelf with clean linen, the fea having produced fome of the common effects incident to new failors. At eight o'clock the king's boat boarded us, left an officer on board, and went off carrying in her four of our paflengers, who I fuppofe had the fame inclination to be out of the wooden world (as he termed it) as I had. I was fomething dif- pleafed at the neceflity of ftaying behind, which was unavoidable, as my father could not go. Here we lay like a log on the water, and felt a greater emotion while the veflel was at anchor than when under fail. My mufe was interrupted (into which I forgot to fay I was infenfibly fallen) by our efpying a boat rowing towards us, which excited my curiofity, which I foon fatisfied by inquiring of one of the Preparing to Land. 1 1 men, who told me it was another king's boat that belonged to Liverpool ; the head officer and five men again boarded us. I could not help fmiling how eager each was to fearch the fhip, which they did admirably with feveral kinds of tools which they brought for that purpofe. The officer happening to go into the cabin there found my father, and foon got into conver- fation with him ; but I need not fay how pleafed I was, when I found he was a Chefhire man, and confequently a countryman of my father's. They foon engrofled the whole converfation to them- felves, and I fo effectually managed the matter, that it was agreed to go amore in the king's boat. I took fuch things as I fufpected I might have occafion for, if the vefTel might be put back by contrary winds, which feemed by its mifting to anfwer the fufpicion. We put off from the mip and rowed for about an hour, which brought us within a league of the town, but found ourfelves on the wrong fide of the channel, which obliged us to return round the breakers and prolonged our landing ; this difficulty at length being ac- complifhed, we turned down and doubled a point of land called the Red Nofes, which afforded us the profpect of Liverpool, as it is fituate on the fide of a hill adorned with lofty fpires, and makes a moft agreeable landfcape. 12 Defer ipt ion of the Harbour. I muft confefs, here was I almoft tired with failing, and thought I could never foon enough get foot on Englifh land, as the notions I had entertained of that delightful ifland had filled my mind with fome very venerable thoughts. We fet our fail, the wind fpringing up favoured the option, and in a fmall time we found ourfelves at the fide of the landing-dock. The Liverpool harbour is accounted dangerous, as there are prodigious fand-banks on either fide the channel, on which if a veflel happens to ftrike, is inevitably loft. We landed at three o'clock on Sunday evening, and our obliging officer mowed us to the Lion tavern; when I refted, my head prefented the ceiling dancing, and was fcarce able to make my footing fure ; neverthelefs I drefled in the evening and fallied forth to view the town, which, in my opinion, is very handfome, being compofed chiefly of regular buildings. My female acquaintance, perhaps, may be difpleafed at making any remark before that of the ladies, befides, I mould be very forry to be found fo unpolifhed, or if you pleafe fo injudicious, when I returned and told 'em I had feen London ; therefore I take the liberty to break fomething abruptly from my defcription of Liverpool and its regular buildings to the Imprejlons of Liverpool. 13 more engrofllng one of the ladies, who, as I know, are very curious ; yet they muft be content with general remarks on this head, as I had no acquaintance, and that they may not be hereafter furprifed, I mall make but very few on it, as my vanity is fuch, I can't fay whether it's a prejudice, but I fancy my own country girls beyond any I have feen in Great Britain, and I muft fay that the women here are in general handfome enough ; their manners and actions very plain and honeft, and very apt to credit an improbable ftory ; their faces befpake this character, as they feem to me not to have that meaning or vivacity fo common in Ireland ; they drefs exceeding neat, not com- plete without the addition of a hat, which no woman is without, and is, as I may fay, an over- grown fafhion. The better fort drefs extremely neat, and it fomething furprifed me to find the refpect they payed here to the Sabbath, whereas in Ireland it is the day of greateft mirth. I was directed to a place at the town's end where they generally walk. This is an agreeable garden, wherein are three regular plain gravel walks, with a row of am trees kept in excellent order ; it is on a regular defcent, fronted by the fea, which gives a greater beauty to it, as you may enjoy a profpect of the veflels as they come in. This 14 A Vifit to the Docks. little adventure almoft tired me, as I had flept but little at fea ; I thought the beft fcheme would be to return to my lodging, where, when I came, I wrote two letters, and met with a fellow paf- fenger, who, as he was acquainted beft with the cuftom of the town, he ordered a very good fup- per, confifting of veal cutlets, pigeons, afparagus, lamb and falad, apple-pie and tarts. What makes me fo particular is, that I was furprifed when I found the charge fo extremely reafonable, I aflure you but fixpence per head, the company confifting but of four. I having gained a voracious ftomach from the fea, fpent little time in difcourfing, and after drinking a bottle of port, retired to reft, and made one deep to Monday, the 1 1 th of May, when I awoke about eight o'clock. As impatient as I was to take a further view of the town, I found another call muft be fatisfied firft, and accordingly hafted to breakfaft. I went firft to the dock, which was a very fpacious one, the entrance of it is guarded by ftrong gates. This is joined by another of much the fame dimenfions, and both encircle a part of the town. Here mips lie very fecurely. I proceeded next to find out my mip, which had arrived the laft night's tide, as I wanted to get out my trunk, which I did with fome diffi- culty of entry, etc. St. Thomas s Church. 15 Next I went to fee St. Thomas's Church, which is the mod beautiful piece of modern architecture I had hitherto feen ; it is made of freeftone, adorned with handfome niches, with feveral cuts and ftatues on the outfide ; 'tis of a fquare figure to the front, but the eaft end is in a femicircle ; the fteeple or tower of this church is really worth the obfervation of the moft curious. It is raifed to a vaft height, with columns of pillars gradually arifing out of each other, and are interfperfed with divers cuts and figures ; the windows after the fame order, with variety of de- vices. On the top of this is a fpire (as you would almoft think) touches the clouds, and feems (as it's made taper-wife) as thin as an hair on the top, whereon a neat weather-cock ftands ; the fpire is of an octangular form, with beads on every fquare, and thefe all terminate in a point ; in each fquare there is a regular window near the top. I am confident it would tire my friends' patience to give a fuccinct account of the beauties of this little pile, and I think I hear fome of 'em cry, " On with the thread of your travels, inform us of the manner of your travelling, what perfons you met, what fprightly converfation enfued," joined with, " I wonder how you could have the patience to take particular notice of the trifling 1 6 The Author's Purpofe. things in the country, when I was immediately to have the opportunity of feeing London ; and betides, what have thofe defcriptions to do with us ; it may happen fometime we may have the fame opportunity of feeing thefe things, without your peftering us with the different orders of architecture and fuch like." But hold, my good friends, not fo faft ; give me leave to inform you that I did not go to England to fee London alone, of which fo many fine things have been faid, nor merely for the fake of faying, I travelled with fuch and fuch perfons to entertain my acquaintance. I was willing (for the little ftay I made) to know all I could, and for that purpofe took fome few notes on 'em, this for my own fatisfaction and not as a writer ; therefore, if I commit my little remarks to a friend, I expect he '11 as readily accept of the moft trifling as them of a greater confequence ; it will be fomething ftrange for me to reaflume St. Thomas's Church, but know, I only gave you a defcription of the outfide, and can't content myfelf without faying fomething of the infide. I was furprifed to find the feats of this church mahogany, curioufly wrought, all lined with green, the backs carved after the neweft tafte ; the pulpit feems to merit a particular defcription ; 'tis placed in the middle of a fine marble aifle, the Sf. George's Church. 17 reading-defk under, and the clerk's lower, made of mahogany, with work fuitable to its folemnity, reprefenting King David, Fame, &c., with abun- dance of other devices ; the top or canopy is hung by a gilded ball from the ceiling, after the manner of two large branches which front it ; the organ- loft and gallery are finely wrought, but plainer. The church is a femicircle, and vaft columns of mahogany (of carved open work) arife, and feem to fupport the great arch above in a word, 'tis nothing but mahogany carved ; no paint in the whole church. From thence I proceeded to St. George's Church, built in all refpects like the other, fave the fpire is not fo high, nor is it embel limed with fo much carvings, and, being old, cuts not fo fine a figure. The other has been modelled from this. The infide is very beautiful, but not fb grand as the other. As I have defcribed it, I think a repetition here of this may feem dif- agreeable nay, you may call it ridiculous or impertinent. I viewed next a church as much remarkable for its age and deformity as the other for the con- trary. 'Tis a Gothic building, and, if poflible, ftrikes the mind with awe. The fteeple is not of a remarkable height, is of a fquare form, and D 1 8 T/ie Author fears he is ^Tedious. has feveral rows of fquare windows after the old fafhion, which makes it appear venerable. There is a fet of bells in this fteeple, which are com- monly rung on the arrival of a foreign fhip or a veffel which has been defpaired of. As the church is fituate over the river, the infide of it is divided into four parts, and the gallery in the fame man- ner ; and it's impoflible to take in above half of it in any one view. There are very high windows in it, remarkable for fome panes of ftained glafs. I am broke off in this part of my defcription, as I think, by fome fimpering or laughing ; but, on inquiry, I am furprifed to find it's fome of my female acquaintance, who endeavour to lay the blame on each other. One, of more diftinguimed vivacity than the reft, feems, by the plaiting of her mouth, willing to fay fomething, and, with mixture of defpite in her tone, thus begins : tf Never has female refolution been fo much tried. Behold, you've gone on with the dry defcription of three churches. You'd almoft make us fufpect you are an enthufiaft or a bigot nay, a Methodift never, at his firft appearance on the ftage, hath given us fo high a character of thefe places of worfhip in England." Why, faith ! I forgot the ladies were in com- An Eight penny Ordinary. 19 pany. I beg their pardons, and fhall take care to avoid fuch fuccinct accounts of churches, as I know religion and ladies are things of a different nature. This little fally of the ladies' wits has fo much put me out of countenance, that I am afraid I mail not have fpirits enough to go on with my defcriptions. I'faith, I thought of a good expe- dient to recover 'em, and muft beg the lady's pardon, as it's almoft dinner-time, till I go from the old church to the " Lion" tavern, where an ordinary is kept at one o'clock. Laft night I gave you a defcription of our fupper, as I could well bear it, becaufe the fea had caufed in me an uncommon appetite, and the recounting of that which gave me infinite pleafure made me fo particular. Now behold me cheerful from all the dainties in feafon and a pint of excellent port, and fit to entertain the ladies with what's moft agreeable. I mail not trouble 'em with my dinner, only obferve it's accounted one of the beft ordinaries in the kingdom, as you've the niceft and moft uncommon dimes at only eightpence per piece. The major part of the town (as I hinted already) is furrounded by the two docks. Thefe are kept always in excellent repair, and contain 2o The Party proceeds. an incredible quantity of veffels, which are daily employed by the town. It has within thefe few years arrived at a very considerable branch, as mod of the inland manufactures are exported from it ; they live very neat and regular. They have almoft rimmed a fine exchange, on which no expenfe has been fpared, and will be the fineft in England, except the Royal Exchange in London. As the days were now at the longeft, and we had feen all curious at Liverpool, 'twas agreed to take a poft-chaife and go to Warrington, about twelve miles from Liverpool. This we foon exe- cuted, and had a pleafant profpecl: of the country. 'Tis a continued garden all the way. I never beheld fo delightful a fight ; and if any terreftrial abode can invite, 'tis impoflible this mould give place to any. Oh ! the fweets difclofed in it are paft imagination. Behold houfes within a mot of each other adorned with beautiful walks and cut hedges; thefe are 'common in the poorer! abode. The poft-chaife went extremely uneafy, which made me choofe to take my fervant's horfe, and give him my place in the chaife ; befides, I could have a more extenfive profpecl. There are a vaft quantity of windmills in this T/ie Author in Ecflafy. 21 country. I reckoned in one view fourteen about a mile from Liverpool. I cannot avoid making a particular remark on one fmall cottage, which made me ftay an half an hour behind the chaife to behold it. It certainly infpired me with thoughts (b pleafingly romantic that it will give me a pleafure as often as I think of it. I mall fall mort of the defcription of it ; not that it's any way remarkable for its building. 'Tis an old pile with three fronts, a crofs on each front ; it has two chimneys, and one of 'em Co artfully covered over with mofs that I at firft miftook it for a tree. It certainly makes a pretty figure. Before it (lands a fmall garden, contrived after the moft ufeful manner ; it is paled in or inclofed with handfome cut box. There are eleven windows (old fafhion) in the front and nine above. It is fituate at the top of a delight- ful verdant hill, and behind it is the ruins of feveral old buildings covered with mofs ; add to this a number of tall poplar trees, which made and cover the houfe behind, and is made to ap- pear more folitary by the croaking of [an] innu- merable quantity of rooks who have their habita- tion in them. In a word, 'tis fo amazingly ftriking that I was quite loft in ecftafy, and never confi- dered how far my company was gone. Neceflity 22 He Soliloquizes. at length prevailed on my unwillingnefs, and I went off juft as I ended this foliloquy : ce Oh ! thou lovely abode ; how much more preferable art thou to all the gaudy mows of grandeur ! Thou exciteft venerable thoughts, and appeared yet more lovely the longer we know thee. How ferenely contented could I pafs my life with thee, and defpife all the fopperies, if my other wifhes correfponded with that of thy man- fion ! But, ah ! thou art refer ved for fome more happy one that can ufe thee beft as thou deferveft, and in tranquillity behold thy beauties. Adieu, thou lovely place, let thy afliftance heighten the blifs of one that can in peace poflefs thee !" From this romantic ftrain it may be fufpected I had read the " Economy of Human Life." The ladies may conjecture, by the agitation I feemed to be in, that I was in love, and perhaps defpifed, and may probably conjecture 'twas that which made 'em experience fome of the effects of it in fome of the foregoing fentences ; as there hath been inftances wherein the whole fex hath fuf- fered from a particular prejudice, it would be impoflible for me to prevent people's fufpicions, but I can aflure 'em 'tis nothing of all that. It may feem fomething furprifing that I cannot rightly account for it myfelf. I believe it's owing Account of his Companions. 23 to the different objects which ftrike the mind, and I really believe mine is a medley of all kinds; and in fome particular times you may fee me cry and laugh by intervals. If this cannot avail me, I muft contentedly fubmit to the cenfure ; but I cannot help fmiling when I think hereafter I mall give the moft ex- alted praife to the condemning fex. If the female one fufpedts I here mean them, I cannot prevent their thinking fo, more than I can that of my being in love. This digreflion brings me after a fmart trot up with my company, who I obferved before had got the ftart of me, and found 'em flopped about a half a mile's diftance from the little happy retreat, at a decent houfe, enjoying themfelves at the door (for they did not alight) with cups of fine ale, here preferable to the richeft wine. I drank of it as it pleafed my tafte, and I had almoft infenfibly loft thofe romantic ideas which had engrofled my thoughts. Here, then, is a proof of my variable temper. I mould have told who my company were fooner, but, as they had no relation with my preceding narrative, thought it might as oppor- tunely fall in in another place. They confifted but of two, viz., my father, the gay Valerius, and 24 Arrival at Warrington* myfelf, and you may include the fervant, if you think he was a fquire good enough for fuch a hero as I. I hinted before I had given my place in the chaife to the fervant, but then I forgot to tell you what Valerius did, why he mounted the fecond horfe, which my father rode, becaufe he chofe the feat. Valerius and I rode in company through the delightful country till we came to Warrington, which was about feven in the evening. The roads are the mod difagreeable part of it, as they are very deep. This town is clean, handfome enough, and regular. The bulk of it is in one large ftreet. We found everything abounding here in plenty. We ordered an agreeable collation, and went to reft about ten. Sol had no fooner fhot his firft rays but they apprifed me of his approach. I hafted from my bed, as I was impatient to behold the country which ravifhed my fenfes fo much the day before. For that purpofe I mounted to the higheft room in the houfe, and directed my eyes over a vaft plain diverfified with fweeteft colours from the influence of the fun, who in oblique rays emitted a feeble warmth more pleating than in mid-day. A Little Difficulty Arifes. 25 I believe I mould have remained in this pofture fomething longer, had not the tinkling of the tea-fpoons againft the difhes (which I muft needs fay the waiter ftruck with fome vehemence, as I heard 'em in the room under as he laid breakfaft) reminded me 'twas as necefTary to pleafe fome other fenfe befides that of feeing, and for that purpofe hurried down, where I found my father and Valerius over a piece of toaft, who laughed at my entrance. I immediately underftood their meaning, as I found they were willing to deprive me of my mare. Here our tour had almoft been delayed by an unforefeen accident ; that having inquired for our poft-chaife, the man refufed letting it go farther without an additional price, as he found we could not immediately get horfes : we infifted on our agreement with the owner fome time to no pur- pofe, till, threatening him with the juftice and adding to it a tankard of ale, we at length pre- vailed. This was a man who had been fent to aflift the boy to take back the cattle ; this was an open villany, which I am afraid is too much practifed and too little taken notice of in Eng- land. I would not be underftood here to caft this as a reflection on the whole country, as none is free 26 The Party reaches Knutsford. from vitiated perfons, but in part to take off fome of the odium generally thrown on ours; and were we impartially to confider matters, we might find we are not even as much addicted to thofe vices as they who would rid themfelves of 'em at our expenfe. But to return : we fet out in our poft-chaife, Valerius and the fervant rid as before ; we had not gone a mile when we were obliged to relinquifli it and exchange places with the two horfemen. In all the world I believe there are not fuch roads as thefe, they being but a continued heap of ridges, fo very deep that I expected every minute when I mould be fwallowed up in fome of 'em. We fuffered three over- turnings before we could perfuade ourfelves to quit our vehicle; the poor horfes were to be pitied, for one or the other was feldom five minutes on his legs. With much difficulty we at length arrived at Knutsford about one o'clock, and were directed to the Swan Inn, a very fine one ; here we dined on variety of dimes at a very moderate expenfe. This is but a fmall town, though handfome enough ; it is very dead, not having any par- ticular trade to enliven it except fome thread- makers, and them but a few. I never beheld fo fweet a profpect as faluted Badnefs of the Roads. 27 mine eyes all the way, it being but an extenfive garden ; not one place is ufelefs or become vacant ; the print of the induftrious hufbandman is to be feen on every fide, and betrays the vigilance of its inhabitants, 'tis mighty rare to find any hand unemployed. " Ignavum Fucos Pecus a Praefepibus arcent." Virg. \Georg. iv.] Oh ! how it elates the heart to behold all thofe things in their increafing nature, and to fee how the hufbandman expects to be rewarded for his pains ! Who then would not feek for fuch a one when fuch ample amends at laft crowns the labour ? Dinner being over, we purfued our journey in the fame order as before related through this delightful elyfium : the harveft now advancing gave us an opportunity to find Ceres on her part had not been flothful, but had fpread her induf- trious hand over moft part of it. The frequent overturning of our chaife obliged us often to turn back to give Valerius and the fervant afliftance ; as the chaife could come on but flowly, my father and I agreed to go on fome- thing fafter, which we put in execution till we arrived within a half-a-mile of town, where we intended to take up our lodgings ; here was fome 28 A " Piece of Humour." excellent ale, with which we refrefhed ourfelves. This put in my head a piece of humour which I thus managed : I told the man of the houfe that we were obliged to quit our poft-chaife becaufe of the bad roads, and that we exchanged with our fervants, who followed us in it ; that as foon as he faw it he mould order 'em to haften, and withal give 'em a pint of ale, which I then paid him for. I knew this would take, as the fervant had a livery on who rode with Valerius. We rode on, and it may be fufpected I was not a little pleafed at my fcheme, though I did not impart it to my father, who, having occafion to alight, faid he would go into town in the chaife. I was much pleafed at the propofal, as it foon would refolve me of the event of my project, which fucceeded according to the intent I had propofed ; for on Valerius's approach he afked me what put it in my noddle to order a pint of ale for him by that unmannerly man, who de- fired him to haften after the gentlemen. I made no reply but a fmile, afking him would he ex- change places, which he readily complying, we foon feated ourfelves, and in that manner arrived in lefs than a half an hour at Macclesfield. It was about feven o'clock when we arrived at Arrive at Macclesfield. 29 the town, and having been fatigued much the two preceding days, thought the moft prudent fcheme would be to defer any curiofity till the next day, and only for the prefent order fomething light and agreeable for fupper, and retire to reft. This motion was feconded by Valerius, who crept into the larder and brought with him a brace of fine pullets, which were immediately ordered to the fire, and in lefs than an hour found 'em in that order we had defired 'em. At my fetting out from Cork I had appointed a particular friend to advertife me of any news he thought I would be deflrous of knowing ; the foot he and I had always lived upon, and the probity I knew him endued with that made me regard him rather as a brother. I had but one letter from him fince my departure, and that was three weeks, which fomething furprifed me, as I had wrote to him almoft every poft, giving him a fuccincl account of what related to myfelf, and what elfe I fufpected might be agreeable to him. I did not account this neglect: to anything, except he might conjecture I was fo taken up as not to admit any time for the perufal or anfwering his ; but then it occurred that as I had wrote fo often it could not be the cafe : as it was im- poflible to form any probable notion of it, I 30 A very Genteel Girl. fufpended all fufpicions till I could have a plainer proof. I thought thus much neceflary to premife, as I may have fome occafion hereafter to {peak of him ; fo that if this digreflion is not altogether fo entertaining, yet it may be not altogether un- ufeful. After the cloth was removed, we ftayed not long to chat ; I caft myfelf into the arms of Somnus, and buried all my thoughts in a pro- found fleep, and believe I made but an entire fleep of the whole night ; I awoke not till eight the next morning, the ijth of May. At break- faft I met with fomething unthought of, namely, a very genteel girl about eighteen, who prefided at the tea-table ; me feemed to me to be well verfed in what is called (now-a-days) politenefs, for me received me with an air fuitable to the profeflbrs of it. Our converfation turned upon indifferent topics, and found me was but lately come from London, where me had been for upwards of a year with a fifter who lived there. This eafed all my doubts concerning her, for when I had an opportunity, I inquired and found me was our landlord's daughter. I endeavoured to correct the brogue natural to our country, and told her I believed The Author lays Siege. 31 the manners of the country but ill correfponded with the refined ones fhe lately had feen in London ; for my part, as I was an entire ftranger, and was going there, fome little instruction from her would be of more weight and have greater efficacy on my mind than double the number from any other perfon. This obliging difcourfe made her fmile, as I endeavoured to accompany it with ferioufnefs ; but on obferving I expected an anfwer, fhe re- plied, " That however miftaken fome people may be in their notions, the country fometimes afforded politenefs little inferior to that of the town ; the laft example fhe had of it from me convincing her of the truth of what fhe before fufpected." I found the lady was not to be impofed on entirely, and that there required a little more acquaintance to make her believe the fincerity of what I urged, and found I was caught in the fame trap ; for I perceived fhe alfo expected an anfwer, which was, " that I mould always acknowledge the penetration of a lady's judgment, efpecially hers who was obliging enough to fave the blufhes of the ignorant, by friendly attributing to 'em accomplimments which they never were fenfible of being poflefled of." After a few compliments naturally arifing on 32 The Genteel Girl defer ibed. this head, we parted. I went to my chamber to drefs, and perhaps me might have done the fame, but my curiofity being excited after a more peculiar manner, I heeded not the trifle of her dreffing or any other employment which may at that j uncture engrofs her time. When I was in my chamber and alone, I had then an opportunity of indulging fome reflections on this little adven- ture. On my firft meeting with her I thought fome- thing ftruck me more than is ordinary for girls of her condition to infpire ; me feemed to have all that delicacy and unaffected nefs requifite to perfons of the firft rank, without betraying any of that awkwardnefs or timidity common to a low ftation. I faw me had wit, accompanied with a competency of judgment, and a vivacity or fprightlinefs which feldom fails of being agree- able. As to her perfon, me was rather low of the two extremes, and as me was naturally fat, it rather diminimed than added to her ftature. Her face was not what is accounted beautiful, but had a foftnefs or fweetnefs which denoted an agreement of temper. A good fet of teeth and a pair of penetrating grey eyes was no fmall addition ; fo that, upon the whole, I thought me was to be admired rather than treated after the Mifs Dama was her name. 33 manner of one of an equal condition ; and in all probability her father could have given a fortune to her which would render her not defpicable. As fuch, then, fhe flood in my opinion ; fo that I refolved to treat her agreeable to it. I can- not fay what it was, but I really had a defire to be again in her company : it did not feem the leaft like love, but fomething unaccountable 1 never obferved in myfelf before. Thefe different agitations delayed my drefling fomething longer than ufual, fo that, on my coming down, on inquiry, [I] found Mifs Dama (for that was her name) was gone to church. I was fomething difpleafed, but Valerius happening to meet me, afked if I would not view the town ; and I replying in the affirmative, we immediately went out. We walked over fome of the ftreets, which were exceeding clean ; but of this here- after. On the turning of one of 'em I thought I heard a bell ring, and, on pafling through a fmall lane, I found myfelf at a church, for it feemed the people had not as yet gone in. I propofed to Valerius going to church, as I fuf- pected we mould there find Dama ; befides, I mould have the opportunity of feeing it. I looked all round during divine fervice, but could not fee her ; till I at length grew weary of it, 34 Our Author turns antiquary. and concluded fhe had not come thither. After it was done, I procured the fexton to fhow us the church. 'Tis a large old ftructure ; all the pews are made of oak, nothing elfe being remarkable in it, except an old ftone erected in one fide of it to the memory of Sir Richard Legh of Lyme, now fucceeded by his great-grandfon, who lives in the manfion houfe of the family near this town ; and for curiofity [I] have taken a copy as it is in the old characters : " Here Lyethe the bodie of Perkin a Legh, That for king Richard the death did die, Betrayed for righteovfnes : And the bones of Sir Peers his fone, That with King Henrie the fift did wonne, in Paris. This Perkin ferved king Edward the Third and the Black Prince his Sonne in all their warres in France, and was at the battell of Creffie, and hadd Lyme given him for that fervice, and after their deathes ferved king Richard the Second, and left him not in his troubles, but was taken with him, and beheaded at Chefter by king Henrie the Fourth ; and the fayd fir Peers his fonne ferved king Henrie the Fift and was flaine at the battell of Agincourt. In their memorie fir Peter Legh of Lyme knight defcended from them, fynding the faid ould Verfes written upon a ftone in this chapel did re-edifie this Place An . Dom . 1620."' From hence I entered on the left fide of the church to a very old fquare area, called Earl 1 Collated with Ormerod, iii. 367. Ajlrangeftory. 35 Rivers' Chapel, whofe family are all interred here. There are four monuments in it, a man and a woman in each, being the predeceflbrs of faid family. The oldeft of thefe monuments is up- wards of four hundred years. The lateft or laft earl is but a tingle man cut in marble, and moft exquifitely wrought, leaning on a cumion, holding one of his hands open as if willing to grafp. His fon Robert, the prefent earl (as they fay), in his juvenile days, being profligate, broke his father's efcritoir, and took thence fifteen hundred pounds to fupport his extravagance. The old man was much vexed, and endeavoured to hang him, but his majefty, confidering his avarice, pardoned him. Upon his deceafe the fon declared he would place him in a pofture fuitable to his avarice, by putting him in a manner of endeavouring to gripe at all, in which way he is as above related. This piece coft upwards of a thoufand pounds. . This chapel was founded four hundred years ago by the Archbifhop of York, who took fuch a liking to it, that he ordered his heart to be interred here, which, when he died, was accord- ingly executed, and the figure of it is cut an- tiquely on the ftone under which it was buried, but is now fo worn by the continual treading on 36 He returns to his inn, it as it is fcarce difcernible, except the bare figure. In one corner of this place is a ftone which a woman purchafed of the Pope as a pardon for herfelf and fix children for one thoufand years. The fexton makes confiderably by this ftone, as he has found a method of taking the impreflion on a large meet of paper, one of which I now have. There are fome old characters at the bottom, not intelligible by any one I could as yet find. The outfide of this church makes a Gothic appearance. The fteeple is low, hath fix indiffe- rent bells, and chimes the Fourth Pfalm. 'Tis placed on a very fteep hill, under which runs a very agreeable river, which adds to the mufic of the bells. The yard of the church is kept in good repair, and near it is a poor houfe or public fchool, where children are taught to work, read, write, &c. The forenoon being pretty well taken up with viewing thofe things, we difcharged the fexton, Valerius chiding at the fame time my too parti- cular curiofity, as he called it. We returned to our inn, and had the pleafure to find things in forwardnefs for dinner. I could not as yet put Dama out of my head, who, as I And finds Mifs Dama. 37 was informed, was but juft come in. I afked no further queftions concerning her. Valerius took up a newfpaper which he faw lie on the table ; and when I found he was engaged in it, I took the opportunity of retiring. I went immediately into my own chamber, adjoining to another room, which as I pafled by, [I] peeped in the key-hole, where I faw Dama reading. I did not ftay long in my room, but returned haftily, as if I only wanted fomething. As I knew the room me was in [was] free to any, I made no ceremony of en- tering, at which me fhut the book and laid it on the table ; on obferving which, I faid I hoped I had not intruded on her meditations. She replied, with a carelefs air, " that the fubject fhe had been engaged on required not fuch deep at- tention as to put me under the neceffity of an apology ; that fhe had taken up that merely to kill the time between dinner." " Whatever has," faid I, " the luck to contri- bute to your diverfion cannot, I am fure, fail of making any one curious ; and as this feems to be in print," added I, taking it up, " I fancy it is no fecret; therefore, to let me mare with you the pleafure will add more to the obligations I already have held from you." " The obligations," replied me, " you feem to 38 An inter eft ing dialogue. hint you've received from me have not as yet come within my knowledge, and therefore I mall difpenfe with any return until they do ; as I am convinced of my giving no room for thanks, [it] makes me fufpect I (hall wait fome time for the performance." I then opened the book, and found it a novel tranflated from the French ; upon which I cried, fomething malicioufly, " Oh, Madam ! I perceive there are obligations of a different kind than what I experienced, holden from you, which, I believe, you'll not acknowledge as fuch." Upon which me replied, looking fomething tenderly, " That we gentlemen fufpected every one had as good an opinion of our excellencies as ourfelves." I anfwered that " I was fenfible there were but too many coxcombs with a great deal of vanity and little judgment that feemed to have the opinion me fpoke of; but I knew her capacity too well to think her judgment would permit her to place her affections on one of them ; that I hoped me would find perfons of merit, even in our fex, one of which, I doubted not, was her choice." She anfwered, with fomething of a free and gay voice, " That me muft beg a truce, as all A little trip arranged. 39 her ftore of compliments were exhaufted ; that I had chofen a very filly topic to beftow 'em on, who was not capable of making a fuitable re- turn ; that I muft not account it impertinent in her if me defired I mould drop the point hitherto difputed." This pleafed me much, as I had almoft found myfelf in the fame dilemma; and, befides, me gave me an opportunity of turning the conver- fation to the point I aimed at. " I am glad," refumed I, " you put it in my power to mow, by this fmall mark of com- pliance, my readinefs in obeying any of greater moment. I, who am now a ftranger here, mould be much indebted to you for the trouble of mowing me any curiofity this town affords." After me had mufed a while, fhe replied that me knew of none in town except fome agreeable walks, which fhe would mow me another time ; but if I could undertake to walk about a mile and a half off to a fmall town called Preftbury, where there were fome old buildings, and an organ in the church, "which," added fhe, "if you've an inclination to fee, I am acquainted with the organift ; and I mall get a couple of other young ladies, which, with your friend, will, I flatter myfelf, not altogether make a difagreeable troop." 4O Meets with general approval. This obliging propofal exactly correfponded with the fcheme I before had laid in my own imagination. I received it with all the refpect and politenefs I was capable of. We were dif- courfing of it when a fervant entered, and put an end to our t&te-a-tete converfation by in- forming us that dinner waited. On entering the parlour, I found Valerius chewing a cruft of bread, who told me that I had delayed his dinner near five minutes, and begged I would 1 fit down, for which purpofe he had drawn a chair. Dama entering a little after, caufed fome other compliments on the occafion. When I found my ftomach permitted, I opened the fcheme to Valerius, who feemed very glad of it. ct Befides," added he, " I can jangle the organ a little, which, if it happens to pleafe the ladies, [I] mall account myfelf happy." My father relimed it alfo, and faid he would ride fo far to be a partaker. We agreed to leave the management of it to Dama, who faid me thought it beft to do it early next morning, as it would require fome time to prepare her friends and the organift. Matters being thus adjufted, Dama faid fhe'd go to make her vifits. Valerius and I went to 1 MS. reads may. Somebody opens his eyes. 41 my chamber, where, after remaining fome while, I thought it beft to take another walk about the town. As I came downftairs my father met me, and told me he had procured a friend to mow us a curiofity. As the time lay on our hands, we readily agreed ; whereupon there was a decent- looking man introduced to us. He feemed to be of the ignorant, honeft caft, and feemed ready to oblige us. We did not appear anxious to know whither he intended mowing us, till Valerius inquired, when he informed us 'twas the filk mills. As I had heard a character of 'em, 1 was the better pleafed. As we went on, I faid to Valerius I was forry we had not Dama with us. Our conductor, hearing her name, turned and aflced me what I thought of her. I replied, I thought me was an agreeable girl. He faid, nodding his head, " So it might hap. For his part, he knew nothing on her, but heard fome of the folks fay me had learned a great many fine airs lately in London ; and her father would have been e'en as well pleafed had me flayed at home ; for," added he, "they fay her feather and me hath quarrelled about it, and faid he was afraid me had learned no good there ; whereupon me threatened to go 42 The Genteel Girl partly found out. back again. That's all, meafter," quoth the fellow, " I know on't. 'Tis not my bufinefs to interfere in't, I only feay what other folks fay." This, joined with the fimplicity he exprefled it with, ferved to convince me there was fome- thing extraordinary in the gay appearance this fair lady made, and to confirm fome fufpicions I entertained from the fecond time of my converfing with her. I made the man no reply, but that it concerned me as little as it did himfelf, and did not trouble myfelf about it. Though I might have had fome few conjec- tures at this time concerning this affair, I mall omit explaining 'em here till I have more leifure, but tell you by this time I am arrived at the filk mills, the defcription of which I mall fall fhort in, but as I guefs I have excited the curio- fity of my friends concerning this furprifing machine, I mall attempt it in the beft manner I can. I firft entered the ground floor, where I faw three vaft engines compofed of about eight hun- dred bobbins each, which fpin the filk as it comes raw from India. From hence I afcended the fecond loft, where I faw one thoufand nine hundred bobbins turned by the fame wheel, winding the filk on fwifts, which is fpun on the Pays the Jilk-mills a i)iftt. 43 lower engines; and on the upper or laft floor are feveral new machines as experiments for the improvement of the aforefaid work. This grand piece of mechanifm coft upwards of ten thoufand pounds, and was a confiderable time in building. The workmanmip is really admirable, as fmall fticks not as thick as a hair do their refpective duties with the utmoft ex- actnefs, and without intermiflion. This variety put in my mind the words of Portius in Mr. Addifon's excellent tragedy of Cato : " Nor fees with how much art the windings run, Nor where the regular confufion ends." I could, I believe, have ftayed weeks to be- hold this huge engine, and find fome beauty or curiofity I had not before perceived. I cannot in any refpect convey an idea of.it to one who hath not feen it, but make 'em to faintly admire this exceffive piece of art, which I thought could not be performed by man. Having fpent beft part of this day in walking and other amufements. about fix I thought I had a propenfion for deeping, and accordingly haftened to my chamber, where I threw myfelf on my bed, and was furprifed when I could not fleep. Thoughts of various kinds filled my brain, which of confequence draw reflections ; 44 " Scraping" not his forte. among the number of which I happened to hit on what our guide to the mills had, as I thought, undefignedly fpoken concerning Dama ; after weighing the manner he exprefled it, I concluded I had fome reafon to ground a fufpicion of her having learned fome of the airs a la mode lately in London. This entirely banifhed any thoughts concerning her, and as I found fleep would not befriend me, I aroufed myfelf and took a book I faw in the window. I was not an half [hour] reading, when the door flew open, and prefented Dama, who run up immediately, and told me me had got the organift, who ' now waited below to have the pleafure of being introduced to me. I faid no more but that I was at her command, and followed her down. On entering the parlour I faw in appearance a genteel man, who 2 very politely told me he would accompany us to the church. Valerius coming in foon after repeated the fame ceremony I had gone through before, but I muft confefs it was done with a greater air of politenefs, as it was attended with a multiplicity of bows, fome of which had almoft coft him a fall on a couple of young ladies entering, who were to be of the party. I endeavoured to exert myfelf after the example 1 MS. has and who. 2 MS. has and. Valerius for apes too hard. 45 of Valerius, but not with half his fuccefs, for after I was done I found he had referred a fuperior falute for the ladies, for he not only kitted his hand, but fcraped too with that vio- lence as entirely tore a piece off his (hoe, which I am apt to conjecture was before broke by the frequent ufe of this polite exercife. It may be fuppofed that we all readily agreed to the little excurfion propofed by Dama, and accordingly 'twas refolved to fet out about eight next morning on foot, as we could the better enjoy ourfelves than if we rode, and for that pur- pofe had appointed this room for the place of rendezvous, when Dama promifed to have breakfaft ready. We talked on the pleafure we mould have next day, and Valerius, looking tenderly on one of the ladies, faid he would petition for a fine day, which he doubted not of obtaining on fo divine a caufe, and as he had more than once performed a part in a play, he very gracefully repeated fome fpeeches a propos ; after Valerius [had] received fome compliments but the due of his merits, we retired to our refpective apartments, though I might have had Dama's company longer. I was aroufed next morning about feven by an unexpected fpeech of Valerius, who lay in the 46 The party ft art s on its trip. next bed to me, who cried out with an unufual vociferation " The great, th' important day." As he ftarted me fbmething, I replied haftily that an hour's fleep would be of more importance to me than his damned nonfenfe. Neverthelefs, I confidered the time was but barely neceflary to prepare myfelf, and accordingly I honoured the " great, important day" by rifing quickly. Our little aflembly foon met, and when break - faft was over, we purfued our journey which was rendered very agreeable by the frequent witticifms of Valerius, which he very judicioufly knew how to adapt to the ocean* on, and got to Preftbury when I thought we were not half way ; but the miles in this part of the country are fo fmall, that you may infenfibly pafs over a number of them. This town, though fmall, is extremely agreeable ; it is but one long regular ftreet, which, as it is encompafled by many orchards and well-improved meadows, appears very inviting. We proceeded to the church, which looks as ancient as time, being built of limeftone, cut with various devices and crofles after the old method ; the fteeple or tower is very romantic, in which are fix fmall bells. The infide of this church is Valerius fuggefts refrejhment. 47 of very old oak, and pictures of the twelve Apoftles are againft each pillar. The pulpit was hung in mourning for the death of Sir William Meredith and his lady, who both died about fix months before. The organ to the front makes a pretty appearance, but difappoints your opinion of its goodnefs when you come to play on it, as it makes a very fqueaking noife. When we were fufficiently fatisfied with the church, Valerius protefted he could not walk back to dinner until he had taken a wet, as he called it : and as he is one of the moft active men in thofe cafes, he went into a tavern (there being an excellent one in this town), and produced fome cold roaft beef, Chefhire cheefe, and a cool tan- kard, which was very agreeable to the weather, ftrongly recommending the ladies to his treat. I muft confefs none of us turned his fubject into ridicule, for we eat heartily. I forgot to mention we had engaged the organift to dine with us, and when we were on our return, he fent one to tell us he ought to be remembered for his trouble. We then fent him a half-a-crown, withal telling him we did not defire his company at dinner. I never faw fo mercenary a fellow. His name was Ridley. This furnimed us with matter fufficient to 48 The company tnakes a difference. entertain us longer than the time we could take to return to dinner, which was in about an hour after, where we found a very good one prepared ; but the heat of the day and Valerius his treat prevented me from eating much here. We had fcarce done, when we were alarmed by the ringing of bells, and were informed it 'twas for us, but in the evening were convinced of it, when the body of ringers came to us, who, after we had difcharged [them], rung moft part of the night. After dinner my father went to take a view of the town, [in] which, as I was tired, [I] could not accompany him ; but Valerius, whofe fpirits were feldom flack, faid he would. I refrefhed myfelf by a nod, and Dama, returning afterwards, afked me if I would accompany her in a little walk. I made no hefitation, but accepted it. Neverthe- lefs, I was fomething difpleafed, as I had partly made an engagement with a friend of my father's for this evening. The ferenity of the day invited us to walk further than at firft propofed, and certainly the innumerable improvements which furround this place would ravifh any mortal whofe fenfes were not entirely funk into ftupidity. Thus drawn, we infenfibly walked until we found ourfelves at a foot of a moft delicious mountain, overfpread A paftoral landfcape. 49 with all the rural delights ; a murmuring rivulet added frefli beauty to it, when on the declivity of the oppofite hill a handfome houfe feafted our eyes with all its gardens and water-works ; the harmlefs flock flapped and played, and by their bleating (in innocence enjoying 1 themfelves) feemed quite happy in this heavenly place ; the feathered race on their part were no lefs afliduous, and by their endeavours, though little, added great delight to it ; the meandering ftream, as confcious of its ability, feemed to difplay its 2 higheft notes, and quavering lulled in ecftafy the foul ; the little fun-flies feem[ed] delighted and