tation to my purpose, when I obferved in a
valley, at fome diftance, fomething that
looked like a manfion. That way therefore
I moved, and with no little difficulty, as I
had a precipice to defcend, or must go a
mile round, to arrive at the place I wanted:
down therefore I marched, got a fall by the
way that had like to have destroyed me,
and, after all, found it to be a fhed for cat-
tle. The bottom however was very beau-
tiful, and the fides of the hills fweetly
The valley is
copfed with little woods.
fo divided, that the rifing fun gilds it on the
right hand, and when declining, warms it
on the left.

Veniens dextrum latus afpiciat Sol, Lævum difcedens curru fugiente vaporet.

A pretty brook here likewise babbles along, and even Hebrus ftrays not round Thrace with a purer and cooler ftream.

Fons etiam rivo dare nomen idoneus, ut nec
Frigidior Thracam nec purior ambiat Hebrus.

Seat.

In this sweet and delicious folitude, I crept A Country on for fome time, by the fide of the murmuring stream, and followed as it winded through the vale, till I came to a little harmonic building, that had every charm and

pro

proportion architecture could give it. It was fituated on a rifing ground in a broad part of the fruitful valley, and furrounded with a garden, that invited a penfive wanderer to roam in its delightful retreats, and walks amazingly beautiful. Every fide of this fine fpot was planted thick with underwood, and kept fo low, as not to prevent a prospect to every pleafing remote object.

Finding one of the garden doors left open, I entered immediately, and to screen myfelf from the fcorching beams of the fun, got into an imbowered way, that led me to a large fountain, in a ring or circular opening, and from thence, by a gradual, eafy, fhady afcent, to a femicircular amphitheatre of ever-greens, that was quite charming. In this were feveral feats for ease, repast, or retirement; and at either end of it a rotunda or temple of the Ionic order. One of them was converted into a grotto or fhell-houfe, in which a politeness of fancy had produced and blended the greatest beauties of nature and decoration. The other was a library, filled with the finest books, and a vaft variety of mathematical inftruments. Here I faw Mifs Noel fitting, and fo intent at writing, that the did not take any notice of me, as I ftood at the window, in aftonishment looking at the things before me, and efpecially at the

amazing

amazing beauties of her face, and the fplendor of her eyes; as fhe raised them now and then from the paper she writ on, to look into a Hebrew Bible that lay open upon a fmall defk before her. The whole scene was fo very uncommon, and fo vaftly amazing, that I thought myself for a while on fome spot of magic ground, and almost doubted the reality of what my eyes beheld; till Mifs Noel, by accident, looked full at me, and then came forward to the open window, to know who I wanted.

Before I could anfwer, I found a venerable old gentleman standing by my fide, and he feemed much more furprized at the fight of me than his daughter was; for, as this young lady told me afterward, fhe guessed at once the whole affair; feeing me with my gun and dog, in a fhooting dress; and knew it was a natural curiofity brought me into the garden, and stopped me at the window, when I faw her in fuch an attitude, and in fuch a place. This I affured them was the truth of my cafe, with this small addition however, that I was ready to perish for want of fomething to eat; having been from four in the morning at hard exercife, and had not yet broke my faft.-If this be the cafe, fays the good old man, you are welcome, Sir, to Eden-Park, and you fhall foon have the best breakfast our house affords. D

Upon

Upon this Mr. Noel brought me into his houfe, and the lovely Harriot made tea for me, and had fuch plenty of fine cream, and extraordinary bread and butter fet before me, that I breakfafted with uncommon pleasure. The honour and happiness of her company rendered the repaft quite delightful. There was a civility fo very great in her manner, and a focial goodness fo charming in her talk and temper, that it was unfpeakable delight to fit at table with her. She asked me a number of questions relating to things, and books, and people, and there was fo much good fenfe in every inquiry, fo much good humour in her reflections, and replications, that I was intirely charmed with her mind; and loft in admiration, when I contemplated the wonders of her face, and the beauties of her perfon.

When breakfast was over, it was time for me to depart, and I made half a dozen attempts to rife from my chair; but without her laying a rofy finger on me, this illuftrious maid had fo totally fubdued my foul, and deprived me of all motive power, that I fat like the renowned Prince of the Maffagetes, who was ftiffened by enchantment in the apartment of the Princefs Phedima, as we read in Amadis de Gaul. This Mifs Noel faw very plain, and in compaflion to my misfortune, generously threw in a hint

` now

now and then, for a little farther converfation to colour my unreasonable delay. But this could not have been of fervice much longer, as the clock had ftruck twelve, if the old gentleman, her father, had not returned to us, and told me, he infifted on my staying to dine with him; for he loved to take a glafs after dinner with a facetious companion, and would be obliged to me for my company. At present (Mr. Noel continued) you will excufe me, Sir, as bufinefs engages me till we dine but my daughter will chat the hours away with you, and fhew you the curiofities of her library and grott. Harriot will fupply my place.

This was a delightful invitation indeed, and after returning my hearty thanks to the old gentleman for the favour he did me, I addressed myself to Mifs Noel, when her father was gone, and we were walking back to the library in the garden, and told her ingenuously, that though I could not be pofitive as to the fituation of my foul, whether I was in love with her or not, as I never had experienced the paffion before, nor knew what it was to admire a woman; having lived till that morning in a state of indifference to her fex; yet, I found very ftrange emotions within me, and I was fure I could not leave her without the most lively and afAlicting inquietude. inquietude. You will pardon, I

D 2

hope,