well; and that the same hubbub had broken my slumbers, and driven me
from wisdom and riches to the regions of ignorance and poverty. The
halt, the lame, and the blind, being restored, by the miracle of a
few stivers, to their functions, we breakfasted in peace, and,
gaining the carriage, waded through sandy deserts to Maestricht: our
view, however, was considerably improved, for a league round the
town, and presented some hills and pleasant valleys, smiling with
crops of grain: here and there, green meadows, spread over with hay,
varied the prospect, which the chirping of birds (the first I had
heard for many a tedious day) amongst the barley, rendered so
cheerful, that I began, like them, my exultations, and was equally
thoughtless and serene. I need scarcely tell you, that, leaving the
coach, I pursued a deep furrow between two extensive corn-fields, and
reposed upon a bank of flowers, the golden ears waving above my head,
and entirely bounding my prospect. Here I lay, in peace and
sunshine, a few happy moments; contemplating the blue sky, and
fancying myself restored to the valley at F., where I have passed so
many happy hours, shut out from the world, and concealed in the bosom
of harvests. It was then I first grew so fond of dreaming; and no
wonder, since I have frequently imagined that Ceres did not disdain
to inspire my slumbers; but, half concealed, half visible, would tell
me amusing stories of her reapers; and, sometimes more seriously
inclined, recite the affecting tale of her misfortunes. At midday,
when all was still, and a warm haze seemed to repose on the face of
the landscape, I have often fancied this celestial voice bewailing
Proserpine, in the most pathetic accents. From these sacred moments
I resolved to offer sacrifice in the fields of Enna; to explore their
fragrant recesses, and experience whether the Divinity would not
manifest herself to me in her favourite domain. It was this vow,
which tempted me from my native valleys. Its execution, therefore,