Ffy-FiJhing. 9 



fport in profpe<5l,) that conduces to this definable 

 ftate of mind ? Or is there a fecret link we little 

 dream of, that connects the material with the im- 

 material world, and works myfterioufly upon the 

 minds of the ardent and imaginative to their e- 

 pecial benefit, chaftening with purer and better 

 thoughts their too earthly bias, and difpofmg them 

 to a nearer fenfe of the prefence of Him whofe 

 hand is no lefs bury in painting the wild-flower at 

 our feet, than in piling mountain upon mountain, 

 to raife our wonder at the one, and delight us with 

 the other ? 



Be that as it may, I muft confefs I feel more 

 difpofed on the top of fuch a mountain as this, 

 even after the fport is over, and the legs weary, 

 to look with kindlier fentiments on the faults of 

 others (not excepting Pifcator's, for fimermen are 

 not faultlefs). I muft confefs I feel a keener fenfe 

 of my own littlenefs and extreme infignificance, 

 where all around befpeaks the prefence of the 

 Deity and His Majefty in fo ftriking a manner. 



That monks mould pitch their tents for life in 

 fo fweet a retreat as that at Llanthony ftill occu- 

 pied by the Abbey's ruins, that detained us in mo- 

 mentary contemplation of the paft, is a redeeming 

 point in the eftimate one is difpofed to take of the 



