European Travel io7 



see that there is a large farm-house with a small range of 

 stables. The valleys are cultivated, but the hills in greater 

 part are covered, without the slightest variety, except what 

 arises from the changing contour of the ground, with short, 

 wiry grass, standing thinly, but sufficiently close to give the 

 appearance at a little distance from the eye, of a smooth, 

 velvety, green surface. Among the first of the hills I ob- 

 served, at a high elevation, long angular ramparts and earth- 

 works, all greened over. Within them at the summit of the 

 hill were several extensive tumuli, evidently artificial, 

 (though I find nothing about it in the books,) and on the top 

 of one of these was a shepherd and dog and a large flock of 

 sheep, clear and coldly distinct, and appearing of gigantic 

 size against the leaden clouds behind. In the course of the 

 day I met with many of these flocks, and nearly all of the 

 hill-land seemed given up to them. I was upon the border, 

 in fact, of the great Southdown district, and, during the next 

 week, the greater part of the country through which we 

 were travelling, was of the same general character of land- 

 scape, though frequently not as green, varied, and pleasing 

 as in these outskirts of it. 



THE DESCRIPTION OF SCENERY 



There is always a strong temptation upon the traveller 

 to endeavor to so describe fine scenery, and the feelings 

 which it has occasioned him, that they may be reproduced to 

 the imagination of his friends. Judging from my own ex- 

 perience, this purpose always fails. I have never yet seen 

 any thing celebrated in scenery, of which I had previously 

 obtained a correct conception. Certain striking, prominent 

 points, that the power of language has been most directed 

 to the painting of, ahnost invariably disappoint, and seem 

 little and commonplace, after the exaggerated forms which 

 have been brought before the mind's eye. Beauty, grandeur, 



