142 MEMORIAL TRIBUTE 



had accomplished this night fell. I travelled on, 

 however, about two miles farther, and coming upon 

 another but smaller valley, in which I was apprehensive 

 of breaking my neck if I should venture through it, I 

 sat down by a rock, weary, and covered with perspira- 

 tion. Rest is pleasant, even in such a place as this ; 

 and when I had experienced a little of its sweets, I 

 resolved to take up my abode there for the night. 

 So, thrusting my stick into the peat between me and 

 the ravine below, I extended myself on the ground and 

 presently fell into a reverie, reviewed my life, gave 

 vent to the sorrow of my soul in a thousand reflections 

 on the folly of my conduct, and ended with resolving 

 to amend ! Around me were the black masses of the 

 granite hills rising to heaven like the giant barriers 

 of an enchanted land ; above, the cloudless sky, 

 spangled with stars ; beneath, a cold bed of wet turf ; 

 within, a human spirit tortured with wild imaginings 

 and the pangs of a sprained foot. " In such a place, 

 at such a time," and in such a mood, what are the 

 vanities of the world, the pomp of power, the pride 

 of renown, and even the pleasures of bird-nesting! 

 Having in a short time become keenly sensible that 

 a great portion of vital heat had oozed out of me, I 

 looked out for a warmer situation ; but, alas, with little 

 success ; for although I pulled some stunted heath and 

 white moss, with which I covered my feet, and laid me 

 down by another crag that afforded more shelter, I 

 could not sleep. After a while, having experienced a 

 fit of shivering, I got up to gather more heath, with 



