tints ; but also beautifully painted the tops of the little cottages, 

 and scattered hamlets, which variegated the plain before us; thus 

 helping to complete the charms of this delightful scene. 



We were engaged, in viewing this prospect, when the door 

 opened, and the master of this charming little mansion made his 

 appearance, carrying in his hand a bundle of rough, misshapen frag- 

 ments of wood. After having disposed of these, with much more 

 care than to us appeared to be necessary, on a marble slab, which 

 served the purpose of a sideboard, he was introduced to us by his 

 lady ; whose request for our stay that night, he seconded with so 

 much urgency and politeness, as to induce us to accept the kind in- 

 vitation with the utmost alacrity. 



Our conversation soon became so familiar, and assumed such a 

 cast, as to make it appear, that we had all become actuated by the 

 same wish, to prevent any of the short time we had to pass together, 

 from being wasted in the dry and unmeaning language of ceremony. 

 Freedom and hilarity marked the mutual pleasure experienced by 

 our little party. Emma and Mrs. Inman were engaged in conver- 

 sation, respecting the neighbouring country ; and Mr. Inman, 

 doubtlessly perceiving the many looks of curiosity which our friend 

 Winton had bestowed on the bundle of wood, which still occupied 

 a situation, in his opinion, ill fitted for its reception, informed us, 

 that he had been traversing the mountain, the whole afternoon; 

 and that little bundle was the only fruit of his labour. "I suppose, 

 Sir," said Winton, eagerly catching at an opportunity of gratifying 

 his curiosity, " that fuel then must be very rare in these parts." 

 Mr. Inman smiling, fetched the little bundle, and put it into 

 Wlnton's hand ; whose looks directly manifested very strong marks 

 of surprise, bordering indeed on alarm, from the circumstance of 

 his having, from the unexpected weight of the parcel committed 

 to his charge, nearly let it fall to the ground. 



When he had a little recovered himself, he requested Mr. Inmao 

 VOL. i. H 



