48 



induced us to quit, the chaise to have a nearer view of this charming 

 spot. 



We had not long alighted, before a gentlewoman, about forty 

 years of age, of a genteel and pleasing appearance, who was at 

 the window when the carriage stopped, advanced to us from the 

 house, which had most particularly excited our attention ; and, in 

 the most polite manner, requested us to favour her with our com- 

 pany, and to partake of some refreshment. The invitation was too 

 welcome to us to be rejected ; we, therefore, cheerfully accompa- 

 nied her into the house ; the inside of which manifested the same 

 neatness, and the same display of taste, which we had already wit- 

 nessed. Showing us into a parlour, she in a very frank manner in- 

 formed us, that we were now in the vicarage house, pointing to the 

 church, at about half a mile distance ; and informed us, that her 

 husband had performed the duties of this cure, nearly ten years. 



This information, so well calculated to give us confidence in our 

 new acquaintance, demanded a similar frankness on our part. We 

 therefore stated who we were ; and that a wish to contemplate the 

 various beauties of nature's works, had chiefly incited us to this jour- 

 ney. Mutual confidence being thus established, our kind hostess 

 informed us, that, as the sun would soon set, and as there was no inn 

 which could receive us, within fifteen miles, she must intreat our 

 promise to take up our abode there that evening. This, she said, 

 was a request, in which Mr. Inman would most heartily join her; 

 nay, she added, he would not forgive her if she had failed, in se- 

 curing him the pleasure of such agreeable. society. 



The tea-things were soon arranged, and our kind hostess placed 

 us in the bow-window, from which we were gratified, with an unin- 

 terrupted view of a very extensive plain of country; stretching from 

 the foot of the mountain, as far to the west as the eye had power to 

 distinguish. The sun having now declined, almost to the horizon, 

 not only covered that part of the heavens with his effulgent golden 



