82 



WANDERINGS IN 



First sicldv for above a year, but began to mend the spring- 



Journey. x 



after ; and by Midsummer became fat and frisky. 



The kind-hearted reader will rejoice on learning that 

 Earl Percy, pitying her misfortunes, sent her down from 

 London to Walton Hall, near Wakefield. There she 

 goes by the name of Wouralia. Wouralia shall be 

 sheltered from the wintry storm ; and when summer 

 comes, she shall feed in the finest pasture. No burden 

 shall be placed upon her, and she shall end her days in 

 peace. 



For three revolving autumns, the ague-beaten wan- 

 derer never saw, v/ithout a sigh, the swallow bend her 

 flight towards warmer regions. He wished to go too, 

 but could not ; for sickness had enfeebled him, and pru- 

 dence pointed out the folly of roving again, too soon^ 

 across the northern tropic. To be sure, the continent 

 was now open, and change of air might prove beneficial ; 

 but there was nothing very tempting in a trip across the 

 channel, and as for a tour through England ! — England 

 has long ceased to be the land for adventures. Indeed, 

 when good King Arthur reappears to claim his crown, he 

 will find things strangely altered here ; and may we not 

 look for his coming ? for there is written upon his grave- 

 stone, 



" Hie jacet Arturus, Rex quondam Rexque futurus." 



" Here Arthur lies, who formerly 

 Was king — and king again to be." 



