progress, whilst the shades of their faithful dogs seem coursing each
other below. Low murmurs and tinkling sounds fill the whole region,
and, as its new denizens proceed, increase in melody, till, unable to
resist the thrilling music, they spring forward in ecstasies to join
the eternal round.

A share of this celestial transport seemed communicated to me whilst
my eyes wandered over the plain, which appeared to widen and extend
in proportion as the twilight prevailed.

The dusky hour, favourable to conjurations, allowed me to believe the
spirits of departed friends not far removed from the clouds, which,
to all appearance, reposed at the extremity of the prospect, and
tinted the surface of the horizon with ruddy colours. This glow
still lingered upon the verge of the landscape, after the sun
disappeared; and 'twas in those peaceful moments, when no sound but
the browsing of cattle reached me, that I imagined benign looks were
cast upon me from the golden vapours, and I seemed to catch glimpses
of faint forms moving, amongst them, which were once so dear; and
even thought my ears affected by well-known voices, long silent upon
earth. When the warm hues of the sky were gradually fading, and the
distant thickets began to assume a deeper and more melancholy blue, I
fancied a shape like Thisbe {133} shot swiftly along; and, sometimes
halting afar off, cast an affectionate look upon her old master, that
seemed to say, When you draw near the last inevitable hour, and the
pale countries of Aneantsic are stretched out before you, I will
precede your footsteps, and guide them safe through the wild
labyrinths which separate this world from yours. I was so possessed
with the ideas and so full of the remembrance of that poor,
affectionate creature, whose miserable end you were the witness of,