variegated slopes near Canterbury, waving with slender birch-trees,
and gilt with a profusion of broom. I thought myself still in my
beloved solitude, but missed the companions of my slumbers. Where
are they?--Behind yon blue hills, perhaps, or t'other side of that
thick forest. My fancy was travelling after these deserters, till we
reached the town; vile enough o' conscience, and fit only to be
passed in one's sleep. The moment after I got out of the carriage,
brought me to the cathedral; an old haunt of mine. I had always
venerated its lofty pillars, dim aisles, and mysterious arches. Last
night they were more solemn than ever, and echoed no other sound than
my steps. I strayed about the choir and chapels, till they grew so
dark and dismal, that I was half inclined to be frightened; looked
over my shoulder; thought of spectres that have an awkward trick of
syllabling men's names in dreary places; and fancied a sepulchral
voice exclaiming: "Worship my toe at Ghent; my ribs at Florence; my
skull at Bologna, Sienna, and Rome. Beware how you neglect this
order; for my bones, as well as my spirit, have the miraculous
property of being here, there, and everywhere." These injunctions,
you may suppose, were received in a becoming manner, and noted all
down in my pocket-book by inspiration (for I could not see), and
hurrying into the open air, I was whirled away in the dark to
Margate. Don't ask what were my dreams thither: --nothing but
horrors, deep-vaulted tombs, and pale, though lovely figures,
extended upon them; shrill blasts that sung in my ears, and filled me
with sadness, and the recollection of happy hours, fleeting away,
perhaps for ever! I was not sorry, when the bustle of our coming-in
dispelled these phantoms. The change, however, in point of scenery
was not calculated to dissipate my gloom; for the first object in
this world that presented itself, was a vast expanse of sea, just
visible by the gleamings of the moon, bathed in watery clouds; a