We
make small deviations, to see the remarkable towns, villas, and
curiosities on each side of our route; so that we advance by slow
steps towards the borders of Monmouthshire: but in the midst of
these irregular motions, there is no abberration nor eccentricity
in that affection with which I am, dear Wat,
Yours always,
J. MELFORD
Sept. 28.
To Dr LEWIS.
DEAR DICK,
At what time of life may a man think himself exempted from the
necessity of sacrificing his repose to the punctilios of a
contemptible world? I have been engaged in a ridiculous
adventure, which I shall recount at meeting; and this, I hope,
will not be much longer delayed, as we have now performed almost
all our visits, and seen every thing that I think has any right
to retard us in our journey homewards -- A few days ago,
understanding by accident, that my old friend Baynard was in the
country, I would not pass so near his habitation without paying
him a visit, though our correspondence had been interrupted for a
long course of years.
I felt my self very sensibly affected by the idea of our past
intimacy, as we approached the place where we had spent so many
happy days together; but when we arrived at the house, I could
not recognize any one of those objects, which had been so deeply
impressed upon my remembrance -- The tall oaks that shaded the
avenue, had been cut down, and the iron gates at the end of it
removed, together with the high wall that surrounded the court
yard.
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