382 PHCEBE ELLIOT. 



of capturing a fish, as for the many objects, both 

 animate and inanimate, which are constantly 

 brought before me in my strolls by the side of a 

 river. Here I have met with a variety of charac- 

 ters, some of them true Waltonians, and viewed 

 such lovely scenery of Nature's own creation, as 

 those only can meet with, who seek it in seques- 

 tered haunts or in smiling vallies. The river was 

 before me, calm and still as " sleeping infancy," 

 save when, now and then, one of its silent inha- 

 bitants darted playfully to the surface, and dis- 

 turbed its smoothness, or two stately swans, which 

 appeared to float on its tranquil bosom, brushed 

 their feathers against the willows, which stooped 

 to weep over the clear water. It was the moment 

 of repose, and I saw its influence on all around me. 

 The cattle were listlessly chewing the cud, while 

 they stood motionless, waiting for their homeward 

 call, and a boy was advancing to perform this 

 evening office. As he approached me, I thought 

 that he looked tired of the day and of himself, and 

 I addressed him, somewhat rejoiced to hear the 

 sound of my own voice, and happy to meet with 

 some one, however humble, with whom I could 

 hold a little conversation. The appearance of the 

 lad was sufficiently striking. He was apparently 

 about fourteen years of age, somewhat tall, and 

 with a round and not ill-looking face. These ad- 

 vantages were counterbalanced by such a very re- 



