UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 257 



" Yes, uncle, I wish to do so, but I delayed 

 till the day changed in hopes of having Caroline 

 with me ; the straight beech-walk is comfortably 

 sheltered from the north-east wind, bat then the 

 high ditch prevents one from seeing any thing, 

 and makes it a dull place without a companion." 



My uncle laughed at my wanting to have a 

 view from my walk, and said, " Certainly it 

 would have been pleasant to have had a compa- 

 nion ; but for my own part, I often enjoy a soli- 

 tary walk : it is, I think, a great advantage to ac- 

 custom the mind to submit sometimes to soli- 

 tude, and to look for pleasure from within. Sup- 

 pose there be nothing to see, why should you be 

 dull ? Have you not memory and reflection for 

 companions ? Do not your various pursuits fur- 

 nish you with matter for consideration ? Study 

 is absolutely useless, if you do not, by daily re- 

 calling what you have read, endeavour to class 

 and arrange it in your mind ; can you feel alone 

 and dull when thus engaged, and is not that re- 

 tired walk exactly suited for such employment ? 

 But, come with me, my dear," he added, " and 

 I will shew you sufficient to occupy both eyes 

 and mind even in that dull place." 



A walk with my uncle is one of my greatest 

 pleasures, dear mamma. I was ready in a mi- 

 nute and to the beech-walk we went ; but it 

 was no longer a dull walk ; all he says is so 

 delightful, and he listens so patiently to every 



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