354 



one, to the large river beyond. We had 

 better go down to it how, for, I believe, it 

 is our nearest way/' 



They then passed through a close shrub- 

 bery and a plantation, when the whole of 

 the serpentine river, with its regular curves, 

 appeared in all its nakedness and for- 

 mality. 



" If I may judge," said Mr. Seymour, 

 " from all you have said, and from your 

 looks now, you have both of you the great- 

 est contempt for this water ; and I must 

 acknowledge, (for you have made me per- 

 ceive it more than I used to do) that there 

 is something of tameness and monotony 

 about it: but surely there is in the whole 

 scene, a great look of neatness and of high 

 polish, and that is no small point." 



"I allow it" said Mr. Howard; "but 

 not so great a one, as to justify the exclu- 

 sion of more essential qualities. By way 

 of illustrating, this point let me remind you 

 of our friend Lacy : nothing can be more 

 highly polished than his conversation, as far 

 as high polish consists in the absence of all 



