SOLITAEY TKAVEL. 69 



pleasures, have discerned hidden charms that my eye 

 cannot perceive, and indulged in trains of associated 

 thought to which I am a stranger. The consciousness 

 of this makes me reflect with humility on the structure 

 of my own soul, and inspires me with a kindness for 

 mankind in general, by making me know that there are 

 many persons in existence, whom I never saw, whose 

 characters are noble, and who can see sources of enjoy- 

 ment in objects that to me are indifferent. Such reflec- 

 tions are of no mean use, and do more to improve the 

 heart than many a long page of morality, or many a 



vaunted advice of sententious wisdom It has often 



struck me since I entered this sublime country, that the 

 inclination and the power which the soul possesses to 

 connect moral feelings with natural scenery, are very 

 beautiful indications of the benevolence of the Deity, for 

 by means of them, wherever we may be placed, there are 

 sources of enjoyment constantly within our reach. When 

 the eye is closed, the imagination is awake ; when the scene 

 is barren, fancy can cover the wildness with beauties 

 selected from everything that is lovely in nature. Since 

 this is the case, why should the speech be so constantly 

 repeated that travelling alone must be dull ? Have I not 

 been travelling in utter solitude through glorious valleys, 

 by majestic rivers, and in sight of the most sublime 

 mountains in Europe, and in what period of my life have 



