"sheltered side of a wood in a cloudy winter-day,

1

"and hearing the storm rave amongst the trees; " and more still his delight, to ascend some emin"ence during the agitations of nature; to stride "along its summit, while the lightning flashed " around him; and, amidst the howlings of the 66 tempest, to apostrophize the spirit of the storm.” Was it not the mountains, the woods, and the streams of Morven, that lighted up the sublime imagery and conceptions in the souls of Ossian's favoured bards? every sentence of whose effusions presents an identical image, and that of the most sublime form: but it is to the warm and ardent imagination only that nature unfolds her chiefest beauties with their proper effect; and those who are endowed with this, the greatest of all blessings, know how to value the sensations that scenes like these inspire.

Evening having now expanded her shadowy pinions over the face of reposing nature, I directed my steps down into the happy valley, and pursued my way towards the village, in order to seek for an habitation for the night. It was not yet dark; as I drew near the church, that stood about an hundred yards from the village, I perceived a number of people, of both sexes, neatly

dressed, coming from it, with an air of uncommon dejection marked upon each countenance. I enquired the cause of the first person I met, who was a fine ruddy-faced country girl, and she in-` formed me, in accents of heartfelt woe, and while the pearly tear stood in the corner of her azure eyes, that the good, the amiable, and the benevolent Mrs. Courteney, was no more. From the extraordinary depression every countenance seemed to labour under, I concluded there must be some interesting particulars in the circumstances relating to the death of this lady, and I determinedto enquire further into her story. On entering the village, I perceived a neat-looking publichouse, which, upon enquiry, proved to be the only one the place could boast of: its appearance, however, was prepossessing, and I was well contented to partake of what cheer it might afford, of which I stood much in need, as I had not eaten any thing since my breakfast, early in the morning, and had traversed a considerable extent of country in that day's ramble.

An interesting group of happy rustics were seated upon an old worm-eaten bench that stood under the shade of some fine elm trees before the

house, quiffing their tobacco, and occasionally

talking

"with looks profound,

"And news much older than their ale went round.”

Whilst their short, squat landlord paraded the length of his humble dwelling, waiting for the commands of his guests, which were no sooner executed, than he, with the utmost promptitude, applied the chalk behind the door, and scored down the various sums they amounted to, not forgetting to give some of his customers a gentle hint of the probability of his not being paid on the next reckoning-day. In this occupation was the doughty landlord engaged when I stepped over his humble threshold: I asked him to provide me with a lodging for the night; he replied, that he had only two rooms, which were fully occupied by his own family; but he was certain the good parson would be very glad to accommodate me at his house, which was very large, and that he was always pleased with the company of strangers, when any came that way, because he lived alone, excepting old Mrs. Parsons, who was his housekeeper. He concluded his speech, by observing,

that he is as good a soul as ever wore shoeleather; and if your honour chooses, I will send to acquaint him of your honour's being here.' To this I had no objection, fearing otherwise I should not be able to obtain a night's lodging, particularly as the night was growing apace. During the absence of the messenger, I desired mine host to place before me the best provisions he could, procure; and, in a few minutes, a clean white napkin was spread for me near the fire, which was soon covered with the best fare the house afforded; to which I sat down with no small appetite, whilst my loquacious landlord stood behind my chair, reciting, at length, the various news of the village, with an occasional remark or two upon the state of public affairs; all which I was obliged to hear till my meal was over, which was no sooner finished, and a jug of fine nut-brown ale set before me, when Mr. Beaumont, the clergyman, was announced.

The figure and countenance of this gentleman were highly impressive, and, at once, conveyed to my mind the most favourable opinion of him. He appeared upwards of fifty years of age; his person was tall, well-proportioned, graceful, and extremely commanding; but the dignity of his.

countenance even exceeded that of his person; the radiance of intellectual glory beamed there in full splendour, receiving additional lustre from the general air of benevolence that harmonised all his features, which were bold and regular; yet there was a depression visible upon his brow, and a certain softness of expression dwelt in his fine dark eyes, that indicated the abode of sorrow, or, at least, that melancholy had recently held her gloomy empire over his mind. His was one of those few faces that denoted the greatest powers of understanding, joined to all the most amiable qualities of the heart; rendering him incapable of injuring even the least worthy of his fellow

creatures.

"A man he was, to all the country dear, "And passing rich with forty pounds a-year; "Remote from towns he ran his godly race, "Nor ere had chang'd, nor wish'd to change, his place; "Unskilful he to fawn, or seek for pow'r, 46 By doctrines fashion'd to the varying hour; "Far other aims his heart had learn'd to prize, "More bent to raise the wretched than to rise. "His house was known to all the vagrant train;

He chid their wand'rings, but reliev'd their pain. "The long-remember'd beggar was his guest,

Whose beard, descending, swept his aged breast;