9 o DESCRIPTION of STOURTON. 
valley. Thefe are covered by (lately trees, and receive the mod: 
heightened charms by a very large piece of water at the bottom, 
on which there is a very pretty boat. You will remember it the 
longer by the female rower, whofe vivacity induced her to try 
her (kill : it was not one of the lead pleadng adventures of the 
day; Mifs h*** *, her coudn Mr. h****, and the reverend 
Mr. b* »***, compofed the crew. We made a coading voyage 
on the little enchanting ocean, where we difcovered feveral lit- 
tle iflands, which are either planted or covered with rocks, un- 
inhabited except by the feathered kind. This piece of water is 
alfo rendered the more charming, by a light wooden bridge of 
one arch ; another of more cod: and beauty is intended to be 
built, to ferve as a communication with the oppodte fide. 
After palling the bridge, the ground is deep and lofty, and 
covered with wood : a narrow path at the bottom of it leads 
to the grotto of the nymph, which is formed in rude rock 
work, almod level with the water. Here is a marble bafon of 
pure water, which is made ufe of as a cold bath. In the inte- 
rior part of the niche over the bafon, is a marble datue of a 
deeping nymph, to whom this grotto is dedicated : (he is co- 
vered with a light garment, which hardly conceals her limbs. 
At the foot of this bath is a marble dab, with thefe lines, from 
our celebrated pope, which are admirably adapted to this plea- 
dng gloomy fcene ; 
“ Nymph of the grot , thefe f acred fprings I keep , 
“ And to the murmur of thefe waters feep : 
“ Stop , gentle reader , lightly tread the cave> 
“ Or drink in fierce y or in flence lave” 
If 
