( >8o ) 



red: in a few years, by the growth of fome 

 intervening trees. 



A fhort mile farther brought us to the feat of 

 colonel Mitford, among the woods of Exbury. 

 The houfe is no objed: : but the fcenery con- 

 fifts of a more beautiful profufion of wood, 

 water, and varied grounds, than is commonly 

 to be met with. Here we propofed to fpend 

 the evening -, but not finding colonel Mitford 

 at home, we took a ramble into his woods, 

 till fupper, where we expeded to meet him. 



The richnefs of the fcenes had led us imper- 

 ceptibly from one to another. We had every 

 where inftances of the beauty of trees as /W/- 

 viduals — as uniting in groups — and fpreading 

 into looods -, for all here is pure nature : and as 

 they were beginning now to put on their au- 

 tumnal attire, we were entertained with the 

 beauties of coloiiring, as well as of for?n. 

 Among thefe unknown woods our way at 

 length became perplexed; and the fun was 

 now fet. Having no time therefore to lofe, 

 we inquired at a lonely cottage, which we 

 found in a Iheltered glade. Nothing could 

 indicate peace and happinefs more, than this 

 little fequeftered fpot ; and we expected to find 

 a neat, peaceful, contented family within. 



But 



