and murderers. A misty rain prevented us seeing above ten yards
before us, and every uncouth oak or rocky fragment we approached
seemed lurking spies or gigantic enemies. One time the murmur of the
wind among invisible woods of beech, sounded like the wail of
distress; and at another the noise of a torrent we could not
discover, counterfeited the report of musquetry. In this suspicious
manner we journeyed through the forest which had so recently been the
scene of assaults and depredations. At length, after winding several
restless hours amongst its dreary avenues, we emerged into open
daylight. The sky cleared, a cultivated vale lay before us, and the
evening sun, gleaming bright through the vapours, cast a cheerful
look upon some corn-fields, and seemed to promise better times. A
few minutes more brought us safe to the village of Viesbaden, where
we slept in peace and tranquillity.

July 16th.--Our apprehensions entirely dispersed, we rose light and
refreshed from our slumbers, and passing through Mayence, Oppenheim,
and Worms, travelled gaily over the plain in which Mannheim is
situated. The sun set before we arrived there, and it was by the
mild gleams of the rising moon, that I first beheld the vast
electoral palace, and those long straight streets and neat white
houses, which distinguish this elegant capital from almost every
other.

Numbers of well-dressed people were amusing themselves with music and
fireworks in the squares and open spaces; other groups appeared
conversing in circles before their doors, and enjoying the serenity
of the evening. Almost every window bloomed with carnations; and we
could hardly cross a street without hearing the German flute. A
scene of such happiness and refinement contrasted in the most