INCIDENT. 



LETTER XLIX. 



Western Region, September , 1 820. 

 My Dear Sir, 



In one of my solitary walks with my gun oa 

 my shoulder, and my dog by my side, 1 strayed 

 eight or ten miles from my lodgings ; and as I 

 was musing on the beauties of the country, and 

 meditating on the various and picturesque scenes 

 which were constantly unfolding, I was roused 

 from my reverie by voices which proceeded from 

 persons at a short distance. In casting my eyes 

 in that direction, I saw two venerable men with 

 fishinw- rods in their hands angling for trout, in a 

 copious and pellucid stream which rolled at their 

 feet. I was hailed by them, and requested to ap- 

 proach, which I immediately did, and in ex- 

 changing salutations, I found that they were men 

 of the world, perfectly acquainted with the courte- 

 sies of life. One of them held up a string of fine 

 trout, and asked me in the most obliging manner 

 to go home with therw and partake of the fruits of 

 their ajnusement. Struck with the appearance of 

 the strangers, and anxious to avail myself of the 

 pleasure of their company, I did not hesitate to 

 accept of this hospitable offer, on condition that 

 -ihey would permit me to add the woodcock, snipe. 



