THE EUROPEAN JOURNALS 251 



ure boat, while one in the bow gave us fine music with 

 the bugle. We soon reached the Quarry, and found our- 

 selves under tall, luxuriant, handsome trees forming broad 

 avenues, following the course of the river, extremely agree- 

 able. Indeed, being a woodsman, I think this the finest 

 sight I have seen in England. How the Severn winds 

 round the town, in the form of a horse-shoe ! About the 

 centre of this horse-shoe, another avenue, still more beau- 

 tiful, is planted, going gently up the hill towards the town. 

 I enjoyed this walk more than I can tell thee, and when I 

 thought of the disappointment I had felt at five hours delay 

 at Shrewsbury, and the pleasure I now felt, I repeated 

 for the more than one thousand and first time, " Cer- 

 tainly all is for the best in this world, except our own sins." 

 London, May 21, 1827. I should begin this page per- 

 haps with a great exclamation mark, and express much 

 pleasure, but I have not the wish to do either ; to me 

 London is just like the mouth of an immense monster, 

 guarded by millions of sharp-edged teeth, from which if 

 I escape unhurt it must be called a miracle. I have many 

 times longed to see London, and now I am here I feel a 

 desire beyond words to be in my beloved woods. The 

 latter part of the journey I spent closely wrapped in both 

 coat and cloak, for we left Shrewsbury at ten, and the 

 night was chilly ; my companions were Mr. Bentley and 

 two Italians, one of whom continually sang, and very well, 

 while the other wished for daylight. In this way we con- 

 tinued till two of the morning, and it was then cold. From 

 twelve until four I was so sleepy I could scarcely hold up 

 m}' head, and I suffered much for the want of my regu- 

 lar allowance of sleep which I take between these hours ; 

 it is not much, yet I greatly missed it We breakfasted 

 at Birmingham at five, where the worst stuff bearing the 

 name of coffee that I ever tasted w^as brought to us. I 

 say tasted, for I could do no more. The country con- 

 stantly improved in beauty; on we drove through Strat- 



