LET. XV.

TO THE COUNTESS OF ----.

_Leipzig, Nov_. 21. O. S. 1716.

I BELIEVE, dear sister, you will easily forgive my not writing to you
from Dresden, as I promised, when I tell you, that I never went out
of my chaise from Prague to this place. You may imagine how heartily
I was tired with twenty-four hours post-travelling, without sleep or
refreshment (for I can never sleep in a coach, however fatigued.) We
passed, by moon-shine, the frightful precipices that divide Bohemia
from Saxony, at the bottom, of which runs the river Elbe; but I
cannot say, that I had reason to fear drowning in it, being perfectly
convinced, that in case of a tumble, it was utterly impossible to
come alive to the bottom. In many places, the road is so narrow,
that I could not discern an inch of space between the wheels and the
precipice. Yet I was so good a wife, as not to wake Mr W----y, who
was fast asleep by my side, to make him share in my fears, since the
danger was unavoidable, till I perceived, by the bright light of the
moon, our postilions nodding on horse-back, while the horses were on
a full gallop. Then indeed I thought it very convenient to call out
to desire them to look where they were going. My calling waked (sic)
Mr W----Y, and he was much more surprised than myself at the situation
we were in, and assured me, that he passed the Alps five times in
different places, without ever having gone a road so dangerous. I
have been told since, that 'tis common to find the bodies of
travellers in the Elbe; but, thank God, that was not our destiny; and
we came safe to Dresden, so much tired with fear and fatigue, it was
not possible for me to compose myself to write. After passing these