Paulde Walberg. 415 



inn accommodation. They therefore departed with my promise of 

 speedily seeing 1 them again. 



The objects tor which 1 was located in P having been brought 



to a satisfactory termination, I only awaited further directions, to at 

 once begin my southern journey. Completing the necessary arrange- 

 ments for my expected emigration sufficiently employed my atten- 

 tion for some time. I gave notice to my landlord, and began to 

 pack my portmanteau, rejoicing in the anticipation of seeing at least 

 a little variety. My liberation at length came in the shape of hints 

 for my further movements ; and it was with gayer feelings than I 

 had for some time experienced that I made my final preparations 

 for departure. I was debating in my own mind for since Wal- 

 - berg's removal I had few confidants whether to take the Dili- 

 gence or hire a horse would be most answerable both for purse 

 and conveniency. I decided for the latter, and provided myself 

 with an excellent roadster, well calculated to bear the fatigues of 

 a long and cross-country journey. 



Having settled all preliminaries to satisfaction, I set out from P , 



my portmanteau one made for the purpose tightly strapped upon 

 the back of my steed. My route was condemned to be rather cir- 

 cuitous, for I had to go out of iny direct way to Walberg's part 



of the country, to visit the city of . I had never been here 



before, and the one night I spent in it passed away'agreeably enough. 



Anxious to do all which I was appointed, in as short a space as 

 possible, I hurried away, and took the road which would introduce 

 me to the division of country in which lay several of the places at 

 which I was expected to touch. I found my horse very serviceable, 

 and my journey was, altogether, particularly exhilarating. The ef- 

 fect of fine country upon the mind, revelling in all the brilliancy of 

 summer sunshine, is intrinsically great; and, unwearied with uni- 

 formity, fresh and varying objects of beauty were being- daily pre- 

 sented. I was ever a lover of fine scenery, and fully appreciated 

 the superiority of that through which I passed. I was also fortunate 

 in the season; for it was the commencement of summer, and the 

 country had all the advantages of a fine light and intrinsic floridity. 

 The trees were clothed with leaves, the woods were massive with 

 verdure, and the grass was of the richest green. These, added to 

 a rich blue sky and agreeable temperature, were calculated to con- 

 vey the beau ideal of rustic splendour. 



After a route of considerable length, I turned towards Walberg's 

 part of the country, and took the road towards the town beyond 

 which, as I was informed, lay his estate. I set out early in the 

 morning 1 , and expected to reach the latter place, 1 ere night. My 

 horse had had the benefit of some day's rest, and was therefore in very 

 good condition. His capabilities of supporting fatigue were, how- 

 ever, put to a good test as the day advanced. I was, after mid-day, 



no longer able to prosecute the public road that led to G ; for 



I found, to reach Wulberg's place of residence, I had to cross a wide 

 tract of secluded conntry. It was with feelings of regret, that I 

 turned short off into a narrow bridle-road, that seemed to go wind- 

 ing down amongst a mass of woods, and threatened, as I advanced 



