49 
not only covered that part of the heavens with his effulgent golden 
tints ; but also beautifully painted the tops of the little cottages, 
and scattered hamlets, which variegated the plain before us ; thus 
helping to complete the charms of this delightful scene. 
We were engaged, in viewing this prospect, when the door 
opened, and the master of this charming little mansion made his 
appearance, carrying in his hand a bundle of rough, misshapen 
fragments of wood. After having disposed of these, with much 
more care than to us appeared to be necessary, on a marble slab, 
which served the purpose of a sideboard, he was introduced to us 
by his lady ; whose request for our stay that night, he seconded 
with so much urgency and politeness, as to induce us to accept the 
kind invitation. 
Our conversation soon became so familiar, and assumed such a 
east, as to make it appear, that we had all become actuated by the 
same wish, to prevent any of the short time we had to pass together, 
from being wasted in the dry and unmeaning language of ceremony. 
Freedom and hilarity marked the mutual pleasure experienced by 
our little party. Emma and Mrs. Inman were engaged in conver- 
sation, respecting the neighbouring country ; and Mr. Inman, 
doubtlessly perceiving the many looks of curiosity which our friend 
Winton had bestowed on the bundle of wood, which still occupied a 
situation, in his opinion, ill fitted for its reception, informed us, that 
he had been traversing the mountain the whole afternoon, and that 
little bundle was the only fruit of his labour. “ I suppose, Sir,” 
said Winton, eagerly catching at an opportunity of gratifying his 
curiosity, “ that fuel then must be very rare in these parts.” 
Mr. Inman smiling, fetched the little bundle, and put it into 
Winton’ s hand ; whose looks directly manifested very strong marks 
of surprise, bordering indeed on alarm, from the circumstance of 
his having, from the unexpected weight of the parcel committed 
to his charge, nearly let it fall to the ground. 
VOL. I. K 
