The kitchen in this inn was a very pleasant room;
I therefore called for some tea, sat me in the window that I might
enjoy the prospect which the country afforded, and a more beautiful
one is not in the power of imagination to frame. This house was
situated on the top of a hill; and for two miles below it meadows,
enlivened with variety of cattle, and adorned with a greater variety
of flowers, first caught my sight. At the bottom of this vale ran a
river which seemed to promise coolness and refreshment to the thirsty
cattle. The eye was next presented with fields of corn that made a
kind of an ascent which was terminated by a wood, at the top of which
appeared a verdant hill situate as it were in the clouds where the sun
was just arrived, and, peeping o'er the summit, which was at this time
covered with dew, gilded it over with his rays and terminated my view
in the most agreeable manner in the world. In a word, the elegant
simplicity of every object round me filled my heart with such
gratitude, and furnished my mind with such pleasing meditations, as
made me thank Heaven I was born. But this state of joyous tranquillity
was not of long duration: I had scarce begun my breakfast, when my
ears were saluted with a genteel whistle, and the noise of a pair of
slippers descending the staircase; and soon after I beheld a contrast
to my former prospect, being a very beauish gentleman, with a huge
laced hat on, as big as Pistol's in the play; a wig somewhat
dishevelled, and a face which at once gave you a perfect idea of
emptiness, assurance, and intemperance.
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