TWENTY YEARS AGO. 273 



smiles. I heard the wings play pleasantly in the air while he 

 was bending over the stream. 



I now perceived a person advance whom I knew to be Southey. 

 His brow was bound by a wreath of faded laurel, which had 

 every mark of town growth. He appeared quite bewildered, and 

 scarcely could remember his way to the inspiring stream. His 

 voice was chaunting the praises of kings and courts as he advanced, 

 but he dropt some little poems behind him, as he passed me, 

 which were very opposite in tone to what he himself uttered. 

 He was compelled to stoop before he could reach the water, and 

 the gold vessel, which he used, procured but little at last. He 

 declared that his intention was to make sack of what he obtained. 

 On retiring, he mounted a cream-colored horse, which was in 

 waiting, and set off in uneven paces for St. James'. 



Then appeared Rogers with a glass in his hand, which, 

 from the cypher engraved thereon, had evidently once belonged 

 to Oliver Goldsmith. He caught but a few drops, and these he 

 meant to make the most of, by mingling them with common 

 water. 



Crabbe, with a firm step and a steady countenance, walked 

 sedately to the stream, and plunged a wooden bowl into it : — he 

 observed that he should make strong ale for the country people, 

 of all that he took away ; — and that, after the first brewing, h6 

 should charitably allow Mr. Fitzgerald to make small beer for 

 his own use. 



In a pensive attitude, Montgomery sauntered to the water's 

 brink; — he there mused awhile, — uttered a few somethings of half 

 poetry and half prayer, — dipped a little mug of Sheflfield ware in 

 the wave, and retired in tears. 



With a wild yet nervous step Campbell came from the 

 throng; — light visions started up in the fair distances as he 

 moved, and the figure of Hope could be faintly discerned amidst 

 them, — she smiled on him as he advanced. He dipped his bowl 

 in tlie stream with a fine bold air, and expressed his intention of 

 analysing part of the water which he procured. 



Next came Hunt with a rich and fanciful goblet in his hand 

 finely enamelled with Italian landscapes ; he held the cup to his 

 breast as he approached, and his eyes sparkled with frank delight. 

 After catching a wave, in which a sun-beam seemed freshly melted, 

 he intimated that he should water hearts'-ease and many favorite 

 flowers with it. The sky appeared of a deep blue as he was 

 retiring. 



VOL. v. — 1835. LL 



