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colours of sleek and pampered horses, 

 richly and gayly caparisoned: or with 

 those of porticos or columns of marble, 

 porphyry, lapis lazuli, or even common 

 free-stone ; and I can scarcely think that 

 you do. It is very possible, also, that the 

 blasted old oak there — its trunk a mere 

 shell— its bark full of knobs, spots, and 

 stains — its branches broken and twisted, 

 with every mark of injury and decay; may 

 please the painter more than a tree in full 

 vigour and freshness; and I grant that 

 those circumstances do give it a wild and 

 singular appearance, and so far attract 

 attention ; but, surely, you cannot be in 

 earnest, when you call such circumstances 

 beautiful ?" 



Mr. Hamilton had listened in silence to 

 the conversation of his two friends, and, 

 at the same time, had been observing the 

 course of the country, in order to correct 

 his mistake in the road ; he now recollect- 

 ed a way across the heathy common, which 

 after taking a last look at the hovel and its 

 inhabitants, they pursued under his guid- 



