chill air ruffled the waves. I went to shiver a few melancholy
moments on the shore. How often did I try to wish away the reality
of my separation from those I love, and attempt to persuade myself it
was but a dream!

This morning I found myself more cheerfully disposed, by the queer
Dutch faces with short pipes and ginger-bread complexions that came
smirking and scraping to get us on board their respective vessels;
but, as I had a ship engaged for me before, their invitations were
all in vain. The wind blows fair; and, should it continue of the
same mind a few hours longer, we shall have no cause to complain of
our passage. Adieu! Think of me sometimes. If you write
immediately, I shall receive your letter at the Hague.

It is a bright sunny evening: the sea reflects a thousand glowing
colours, and, in a minute or two, I shall be gliding on its surface.



LETTER II



OSTEND, June 21st.

T'other minute I was in Greece, gathering the bloom of Hymettus, but
now I am landed in Flanders, smoked with tobacco, and half poisoned
with garlic. Were I to remain ten days at Ostend, I should scarcely
have one delightful vision; 'tis so unclassic a place--nothing but
preposterous Flemish roofs disgust your eyes when you cast them