LETTER L. May 9. I Performed my pilgrimage to the place of my nativity, with all the devotion of a real pilgrim: I was affected much beyond what I expected. Near the great elm, which is a quarter of a league from the village on the fide of S-, I got out of the carriage, and fent it on before, that alone and on foot I might more fully and without interruption enjoy all my recollections. I was then under the fame elm which formerly was the term and object of my walks. How things have fince changed! changed! Then, in happy igno rance, I languished after a world I did not know, and where I hoped to find all the enjoyments my heart fo often felt the want of: and now I was returned from that world fo much defired; and what, my dear friend, did I bring back? Difappointed hopes, unfuccefsful plans. I obferved the oppofite mountains, and I remembered how often they had excited my wifhes. I ufed to fit fometimes for whole hours looking at them, and ardently longing to wander under the fhade of those woods which make fo delightful an object in the distance. With what reluctance reluctance I quitted this favourite fpot when the play-hour was over, and my leave of abfence expired! As I drew near to the village, I recognised all the little gardens and fummer-houses that I was acquainted with. I difliked the new ones, as I do all the alterations that have been made fince my time. I went into the village, and felt quite at home again. I cannot, my dear friend, in detail relate all the circumstances with which I was affected; however interefting they were to me, there would be a fameness in the relation. I had intended to lodge in the market-place near our old house: houfe: as foon as I entered, I perceived that the fchool-room, where we were taught by that good old woman, was turned into a fhop. I remembered the forrow, the dullnefs, the anxiety, the oppreffion of heart I had experienced in that confinement. Every step was marked by fome particular impreffion. A pilgrim in the holy land does not meet with so many spots which bring tender recollections to his mind; and fcarcely feels more devotion. One fenfation I will relate, of the thoufand I experienced: Having followed the course of the stream to a farm, which was formerly a favourite walk likewife, likewife, and where we ufed to divert ourselves with making ducks and drakes upon the water; I was most forcibly struck with the me mory of what I then was, when I looked at the water as it flowed, and form'd romantic ideas of the countries it was going to pafs through. My imagination was foon exhausted; but the water continued flowing farther and farther, till I was bewildered in the idea of invifible difstance. Exactly fuch, my dear friend, were the thoughts of our good ancestors. And when Ulyffes talks of the immeafurable fea, and the unlimited earth, is it not more VOL. II. natural, E |