48 
duced us to quit the chaise to have a nearer view of this charm- 
ing spot. 
We had not long alighted, before a gentlewoman, about forty 
years of age, of a genteel and pleasing appearance, who was at 
the window when the carriage stopped, advanced to us from the 
house, which had most particularly excited our attention ; and, in 
the most polite manner, requested us to favour her with our com- 
pany, and to partake of some refreshment. The invitation was too 
welcome to us to be rejected; we, therefore, cheerfully accom- 
panied her into the house ; the inside of which manifested the same 
neatness, and the same display of taste, which we had already wit- 
nessed. Showing us into a parlour, she in a very frank manner in- 
formed us, that we were now in the vicarage house, pointing to the 
church, at about half a mile distance ; and informed us, that her 
husband had performed the duties of this cure nearly ten years. 
This information, so well calculated to give us confidence in our 
new acquaintance, demanded a similar frankness on our part. We 
therefore stated who we were ; and that a wish to contemplate the 
various beauties of nature’s works, had chiefly incited us to this 
journey. Mutual confidence being thus established, our kind hostess 
informed us, that, as the sun would soon set, and as there was no inn 
which could receive us; within fifteen miles, she must entreat our 
promise to take up our abode there that evening. This, she said, 
was a request, in which Mr. Inman would most heartily join her ; 
nay, she added, he would not forgive her if she had failed, in securing 
him the pleasure of such agreeable society. 
The tea-things were soon arranged, and our kind hostess placed 
us in the bow-window, from which we were gratified with an unin- 
terrupted view of a very extensive plain of country, stretching from 
the foot of the mountain, as far to the west as the eye had power to 
distinguish. The sun having now declined, almost to the horizon. 
