would have given them up to Hecate. I was near believing myself in
the neighbourhood of a certain evil place, where I should be punished
for all my croakings. We travelled at this rate, I dare say, fifteen
miles, without seeing a single shed: at last, one or two miserable
cottages appeared, darkened by heath, and stuck in a sand-pit; from
whence issued a half-starved generation, that pursued us a long while
with their piteous wailings. The heavy roads and ugly prospects,
together with the petulant clamours of my petitioners, made me quite
uncharitable. I was in a dark, remorseless mood, which lasted me
till we reached Bree, a shabby decayed town, encompassed by walls and
ruined turrets. Having nothing to do, I straggled about them, till
night shaded the dreary prospects, and gave me an opportunity of
imagining them, if I pleased, noble and majestic. Several of these
waning edifices were invested with thick ivy: the evening was chill,
and I crept under their covert. Two or three brother owls were
before me, but politely gave up their pretensions to the spot, and,
as soon as I appeared, with a rueful whoop flitted away to some
deeper retirement. I had scarcely begun to mope in tranquillity,
before a rapid shower trickled amongst the clusters above me, and
forced me to abandon my haunt. Returning in the midst of it to my
inn, I hurried to bed, and was soon lulled asleep by the storm. A
dream bore me off to Persepolis; and led me thro' vast subterraneous
treasures to a hall, where Solomon, methought, was holding forth upon
their vanity. I was upon the very point of securing a part of this
immense wealth, and fancied myself writing down the sage prophet's
advice how to make use of it, when a loud vociferation in the street,
and the bell of a neighbouring chapel, dispersed the vision.
Starting up, I threw open the windows, and found it was eight o'clock
(Wednesday, July 5th), and had hardly rubbed my eyes, before beggars
came limping from every quarter. I knew their plaguy voices but too