A RHAPSODY, 
1 24. 
LETTER XLT. 
To Mrs. O *. * * * # ** 
Mad a m, 
F ROM ambresbury-abby, we proceeded fourteen miles to 
stockbridge, the road for the moft part lying over downs, 
which divide the delightful counties of Wiltshire and Hamp- 
shire, and afford many charming profpeCts.. 
The zephyrs which now fported in the air, the brightnefs of 
the fky, and the beautiful variety and verdure of the earth,, 
feemed to vie with each other, whether they fhould moft en- 
chant the mind with the love of rural joys, or excite a contempt 
of thofe pleafures, that nourish the corroding paffions which, 
prevail in great cities. 
It was in this morning’s journey, that my imagination took a 
flight above the earth. The brightnefs of the azure fky, received 
an uncommon beauty from the clouds which flew on high, 
cloathed in milky white, and prefented to the eye of my fancy the 
appearance of an angel. Methought I faw one of thefe wing- 
ed meffengers of heaven directing his courfe, through the vaft 
expanfe, towards the local feat of that ineffable glory, which 
inclofes the more immediate prefence of the god, inviflble to 
mortal eyes ! I faw the fpirit approach, as near as angels can 
approach, the throne of that one supreme, in the contempla- 
tion of whofe perfections, all the powers of my foul were ah- 
for bed. 
Lo ! the great ruler of the world , from high , 
Look’d failing down , with a propitious eye. 
2 
With 
