UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 147 



inn was small, and unfit for invalids, and the inn- 

 keeper being unwilling to let a sick man remain in 

 the house, she had allowed them to lodge with 

 her out of compassion. She described them as 

 very amiable people ; they had expected a friend 

 to meet them, but had been disappointed ; and she 

 added, that they seemed to be distressed for 

 money. 



When we returned, there was the most beau- 

 tiful western sun-light on every thing ; cottages, 

 trees, and the orchards full of rosy apples, were 

 all gilt by it ; and the river appeared like a sheet 

 of glassy silver. 



Soon after dinner, the evening part of the 

 birth-day rites began, by a merry party at French 

 blind-man's buff. This was very amusing, for 

 my uncle and aunt joined in it, and he was so 

 comical, that it gave the game quite a riew^ cha- 

 racter. Tea succeeded, and after Grace had 

 retired to bed, the piano-forte was opened, and 

 we three sang for my uncle his favourite song 

 of " Hark the Lark," which we had learned 

 purposely to surprise him on this day. He ap- 

 peared so much gratified by this little attention, 

 which had been a happy thought of Mary's, that 

 we were more than repaid for all our exertion 

 to perform it well. Several other favourite 

 songs were sung, in some of which the young 

 ladies who nad come from Elmore assisted ; and 

 when we were tired of singing, we danced reels 



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