210 EXTRACTS FROM HIS WORKS [ch. vii. 
sea. But scarcely any rain falls, and at intervals 
the moon is seen dimly defined through the grey 
vapour. Farmers are returning in carts and gigs 
from the market, it being Friday; but otherwise 
the road is dull, it being much less frequented at 
any time than that on the north side. 
Not an inn nor a shop could I find anywhere, 
and having neither eaten nor drunk since twelve 
o’clock, I resolved, on reaching Maryculter, to 
make application for tea and bread, the favourite 
food of sedentary people, and assuredly the most 
invigorating of all to the wearied pedestrian. How 
much refreshed I felt after an hour’s rest and a 
plentiful meal, any one may understand who has 
an elastic temperament. The milestones which I 
had been counting were no longer consulted; and 
as little of the well-known scenery was visible 
under the faint light of the moon, veiled by the 
grey vapours, I mused on many things as I walked 
quickly along. 
The Divine Providence has rendered my path 
pleasant to me in the rugged corrie, in the thick 
wood, and in the green valley ; has prepared friends 
to forward my views, to protect me under their 
hospitable roofs and instruct me by their conversa¬ 
tion ; has restored me to health, and preserved it 
to me; has enabled me to accomplish the purpose 
of my journey, and filled me with gratitude now 
that I approach its termination. 
Kind reader! it is time to bid thee “ Good¬ 
night .”—Natural History of Deeside, p. 305. 
